As we have seen this block, professionals have a variety of theoretical frameworks available to them that may be used to better understand and evaluate issues impacting families; each theoretical perspective further lends itself to a framework for thinking about intervention and family life education too.
Some professionals identify as theoretical eclectics, maintaining that theories are all basically compatible. As such, pieces of one theory can be combined with pieces of another theory to best support clients. Moreover, clients and the issues they experience are complex and varied; as such, different theories are needed to account for different kinds of people and/or issues and problems experienced. If one theory isn’t appropriate for a particular situation, then another may do a better job.
Conversely, theoretical purists contend that because theories have their own assumptions, key terms, and propositions they are inherently inconsistent; it would be illogical to try to mix and match pieces of different theories together because they are logically incompatible. Purists maintain that while it is not necessary that professionals actually believe a preferred theory to be “true,” for matters of consistency it is important that professionals adopt only one theory in order to best interpret data, diagnose problems, and formulate education and intervention strategies.
What is your perspective?
Is it better to think about theories as various tools in a toolbox that can be drawn upon differently based on the particular situation? OR Is it better to identify a single framework or approach to working with families that can be consistently applied?
Of the theories discussed this block, which most resonated with you, and why?
How do you plan to incorporate theory in your work with and on behalf of families?
3 Scholarly Family Science Journals should be used.
