MY FAMILY, MY WORLD

Age group:

13 - 100 Keywords: Family Structure, Social Dynamics.

Time required:

90 minutes

Number of people:

Minimum 3, maximum 30

Equipment, materials, and space needed:

Chalkboard and marker,

tables, scripts, and cards.

Activity explored and suggested by:

Escola Profissional de Agricultura e Desenvolvimento Rural de Marco de Canaveses - Portugal.

Aim of the method: To understand, through improvised dramatization, the complexity of family ties and kinship relationships, and questioning traditional family functions and models.

DESCRIPTION

INTRO The facilitator contextualizes the activity within the scope of the concrete context where the session takes place, the contents, the educational process and/or the group concerned. The facilitator presents him or herself and gives the group members the opportunity to introduce themselves and share their experiences as well as their expectations for the activity.

EXPERIENCE The facilitator reminds the participants that when things go well, the family experience and coexistence among its members are peaceful, but when there are problems or conflicts, family life can be very complex. Dividing the participants into two groups (each group chooses their “family” name) and distributing a small script with a family situation to solve (different situations for each “family” available below). The participants should assign a function and kinship to each member of the group (father, mother, son, daughter, etc.). Each “family” will perform the given situation, role playing and respecting all elements, in order to try to find a solution to the problem. There has to be dialogue and all participants have to be involved and give their opinion. At the end of the allotted time, there has to be a family resolution. [Each group dramatizes their situation while the other watches in silence]. Here are 2 situations as examples (based on these, the facilitator can adapt it or devise others):

A Congratulations, you are now a family! Your first task is to choose your family name! The …………… family is at home on a Sunday at lunchtime: mother, mother’s boyfriend (who doesn’t live at home), the two youngest twin daughters, the oldest son, aged 17, and the grandfather, elderly. The son almost chokes on the food because he does not know how to approach the subject: a girl at school accuses him of getting her pregnant and he does not want to take the responsibility.

CHALLENGE: Son – to communicate to the family what happened and make them side with him. The whole family – to find a solution to the situation. All family members must contribute to the resolution (positively or negatively).

B Congratulations, you are now a family! Your first task is to choose your family name! The …………… family is at home, after dinner, watching television: mother, father, youngest son and grandfather, elderly. Meanwhile, the oldest daughter (17 years old) arrives, with a friend, with whom she had gone out. She wants to ask her parents for something she fears they won’t allow: getting a tongue piercing and/or a tattoo on her hand. The friend already has some.

CHALLENGE: Daughter - to find a way to convince parents and not to angry them with the request. Friend – to support your friend without harassing the family. The whole family – to negotiate a solution to the situation. All family members must contribute to the resolution (positively or negatively).

DEBRIEFING The facilitator asks the participants to express themselves about the exercise: what they experienced, whether they considered it easy or difficult, and if they felt that the solution they found in the family was the most appropriate.

GENERALIZATION AND INPUT Analyze the difference between one family and another. The facilitator asks if they know other types of families and what are the differences between them, as well as whether families solve their conflicts differently, depending on the typology.