Question:
“
In order to effectively support individuals, couples & families in a therapeutic context,
one must first adopt a Social Constructionist worldview.”
Discuss this statement drawing on the literature relating to both Social Constructionism & approaches
to couple & family counselling.
a)Define and explain Social Constructionism
b)Select & analyse various couple & family counselling approaches
from the perspective of principles & ideas of Social Constructionism
c)Demonstrate the ability to research the literature & familiarity with key texts relating to these
areas.
Extra marks will be given for references outside set texts, which indicate wider research.

Answer:

Introduction

This study has reflected the core aspects of relationship counseling as per Social constructionism. This report reflects how people indulged in the relation problems and how they could mitigate these problems by implementing proper level of relation counseling in social constructionism.  In the starting of this report, role of language, politics and social context has been taken into consideration and how their relation get influenced due to the infant care. After that, analysis on the relationship problems has been made.  Afterward, the core themes in relationship and skills that sustain the healthy relationship have been taken into consideration. Social constructionism is the theory which is accompanied with theory of knowledge in the sociology and communication that examine the development of jointly constructed understanding of the world based on the shared assumption (Burr, 2015).

Define Social constructionism in various couples and family counseling’s

Social constructionism could be defined as theory which reflects the knowledge in sociology and communication that examine the development of combined constructed understanding which is based on shared assumption. This Social constructionism reflects several problems which are faced by couple in their relationship. Ideally, the main problems which could arouse between couple are related to the communication gap. This could be determined on the basis of simple example that if couples in relationship do not share proper level of understanding with each other’s then it would surely result to problems, conflicts and other associated misconceptions between them (Miano, et al. 2017).  It will not only hamper their mood, behavior and feeling but also will destruct the core theme of relationship of couples.  As per the Social constructionism it is revealed that in most of the cases couples in relationship are grasped by the personal grudges and conflicts due to anger, aggression, communication, and inability to solve the conflicts, lack of intimacy and sexual problems and general disappointment with others. These conflicts become more complicated when they have to take care of their infant. Both parents got stuck in their works and give less time to their infant which increases the household conflicts. With the increasing ramification of people’s changing behavior, couples are indulged in taking social constructionism couple therapy to mitigate their relationship problems (Burr, 2015). These therapies of social constructionism such as a just therapy, moral and political implication which are used by couples to encounter their short term and long term relationship problems in determined approach. Nonetheless, these type of therapies are accompanied with several steps in which long term and short term relation saving.  This could be evaluated by considering Social constructionism theories that couples in relationship give time to each other, indulged in activities which they could play with others. After reading various news and secondary sources, it could be inferred that each and every couple should give time to each other (Gurman, et al. 2015).  However, with the increasing complexity of people’s lives couples are giving less time to each other and indulged more in professional lives with each other. After implementation of social constructionism theory, it is given that if couple does not spend time with others then it will increase the level of distance and problems in their mind. In addition to this, after analyzing various relationship cases and problems, it is considered that sex and intimacy is the most essential part of the couple’s lives. Therefore, after evaluating the facts and assumptive theories given it is reflected that there is not only increase the closeness of two people in which two or more people are connected and or lives in state of being connected to each other. Furthermore, in western societies like Australia, UK and US when are no longer attached to De facto relationships in which they live their lives with partners without getting married to each other’s (Edelstein, et al. 2014). For instance, with the increasing people’s inclination towards the living relationship, people start to live their lives with their partners and do not get married (Burr, 2015). Ideally, these types of relation between two peoples do not ask for any expectation from each other. Couples do not ask for anything they live with others on the basis of their likeness and their wants and need. The most important factors in relationship are based on the sex and intimacy which couples feel with each other. It is evaluated that when one person find a right person then most of the people start out optimistic for the future and indulged in stay with that person for the whole of their lives. This level of long term relationship which arises due to commitment and legal formalities becomes Burdon and people will chaos in their lives for the most of time (Carroll, et al.  2013).

Select  &  analyses  various  couple  &  family  counselling  approaches  from  the  perspective  of  principles & ideas of Social Constructionism

After analyzing various couple and family counseling approach from the perspective of principles and ideas of social constructionism, relation could be defined as relation between people in that two or more people are connected and or live in state of being connected to each other. It is evaluated that in relation between various couples becomes complicated when they do not act as per the expectation of each other’s (Collins and Read, 2010). This could be analyzed with the help of simple example that if social constructionism is implemented in proper and effective manner to discharge it’s affiliated. However, if parent are stuck in their work and they neither give time to each other nor to their children then in that case they will surely eventually end up with their relationship (Muise, Giang and Impett, 2014).  In addition to this, as per the principle and laws of social constructionism the main foundation of relationship between couple is based on the First-order cybernetics. They should perform new creative and innovative activities with each other as per the order cybernetics in social constructionism. This level of relationship activities will strengthen their relationship with each other (Berger and Hannah, 2013).

Demonstrate the ability to research the literature and Familiarity with key texts relating to these areas

As per the theories given by Bowlby and Ainsworth it is reflected that couples who are indulged in long distance relationship or suffering from health issues will face several problems. In social constructionism, life cycle of the relation of couples depend upon the several factors such as their attitude, belief, perceptions, expectation and health issues. If they are not satisfied with their lives while living with each other’s then this will surely endanger the relationship of couple. Furthermore, as per the perception of Jansen, Newman, and Carmichael (1998), attitude to marriage have changed very drastically which could be explained by Claire and Paul example.  Claire had been hospitalized for depression and anxiety which results from relationship problem between Claire and Paul. However, this relationship problems arouse due to the complex situation and last marriage life of Paul. If Claire and Paul would have taken proper relationship counseling. As per the social constructionism in family and love relation, people in today’s world want to live their lives on the basis of no expectation and give greater emphasis on their own happiness.  They all are losing their interest in religion, social values and their culture while getting involved with other person in relation. The main core theme in relationship is based on couples react with the particular circumstances while living their lives with each other. It is observed that it is required from couples to keep three stage of systemic practice such as a first order perspective, second order view and third session.  As per the perception of these authors, attitudes of people have changed and couples are more inclined towards living their lives in living relationship. This has happened on the basis of several factors such as higher level of education, standard of living of people, higher cost of living, increased mobility, meaning and no longer support of extended families (Halpern-Meekin, et al. 2013).

It is considered that people in this world are more sophisticated and accompanied with work burden and stress. Therefore, it could be inferred that couple are more interested in living their lives on their own terms and conditions and give less time to social factors and culture. Ideally a couple goes through the several life stage throughout the relationship such as symbolic stage in which couples are in love and connected to each other on the basis of love and affection, another one is differentiation stage in which people with different mindset come together to solve each other’s conflicts and problems (Falconier, 2013). Another one is related to practicing stage in which two persons become part of their lives due to parental relation. In the end, the best part of relation is mutual interdependence in which two persons come together and understand each other’s for living their lives. However, with the changes in mood and phases of lives many couple comes to counseling to solve their different range of problems. It is evaluated that if proper level of management and strategic programs are implemented then it could result to make proper level of relationship between couples for long run. Nonetheless, counselors could only give advice to couples to solve their problems; ultimately they only have to solve what they are facing in their relationship (Adamsons, 2013).

The main challenging factors of a relationship factors in social constructionism between couple is consisted with several factors such as anger, aggression, communication, inability to solve the conflicts, lack of intimacy and sexual problems and general disappointment with others. These problems are not only the main factors of breakup and divorce of couples which will destruct the relation. Now in the end, it could be inferred that these factors could not only hamper the relation between two people but also will destruct their relationship lives and Social constructionism (Greenman and Johnson, 2013).

Conclusion

It is evaluated that social constructionism in defined as relationship is the state of mind people who are connected with each other. After analyzing these all the factors of social constructionism, it is observed that if couple wants to maintain their relationship for long run then they should solve their relationship problems in effective manner either by taking relationship counseling from others or resolving problems own their own. Now in the end, it could be inferred that relationship of couple depends upon the both people who are living their lives with each other.

References

Adamsons, K., 2013. Predictors of relationship quality during the transition to parenthood. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 31(2), pp.160-171.

Berger, R. and Hannah, M.T., 2013. Preventive approaches in couples therapy. Routledge.

Carroll, S.J., Hill, E.J., Yorgason, J.B., Larson, J.H. and Sandberg, J.G., 2013. Couple communication as a mediator between work–family conflict and marital satisfaction. Contemporary Family Therapy, 35(3), pp.530-545.

Collins, N.L. and Read, S.J., 2010. Adult attachment, working models, and relationship quality in dating couples. Journal of personality and social psychology, 58(4), p.644.

Edelstein, R.S., van Anders, S.M., Chopik, W.J., Goldey, K.L. and Wardecker, B.M., 2014. Dyadic associations between testosterone and relationship quality in couples. Hormones and behavior, 65(4), pp.401-407.

Falconier, M.K., 2013. Traditional gender role orientation and dyadic coping in immigrant Latino couples: Effects on couple functioning. Family Relations, 62(2), pp.269-283.

Greenman, P.S. and Johnson, S.M., 2013. Process research on emotionally focused therapy (EFT) for couples: Linking theory to practice. Family Process, 52(1), pp.46-61.

Gurman, A.S., Lebow, J.L. and Snyder, D.K. eds., 2015. Clinical handbook of couple therapy. Guilford Publications.

Burr, V., 2015. Social constructionism. Routledge.

Halpern-Meekin, S., Manning, W.D., Giordano, P.C. and Longmore, M.A., 2013. Relationship churning in emerging adulthood: On/off relationships and sex with an ex. Journal of Adolescent Research, 28(2), pp.166-188.

Miano, A., Fertuck, E.A., Roepke, S. and Dziobek, I., 2017. Romantic relationship dysfunction in borderline personality disorder—a naturalistic approach to trustworthiness perception. Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment, 8(3), p.281.

Muise, A., Giang, E. and Impett, E.A., 2014. Post sex affectionate exchanges promote sexual and relationship satisfaction. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 43(7), pp.1391-1402.