by Melody Hearndon

Created on: June 15, 2009

Family politics will continue to pass from generation to generation, as long as there is someone who feels the need to keep the pot stirred. Quite often there's someone in the family that continually feels as though they are mistreated, or at best, misunderstood. They know the underlying feelings that unfold towards them, yet they feed off of the negative energy that persists.

Family politics are deeply rooted in the dysfunction of the family itself. This same dysfunction is carried like a torch that continues to burn bright. Most families have the relative that can't really be explained. You know, the one who is more than odd, but you just can't put your finger on it? Even having an extra toe doesn't specify the distinction.

The typical family, is not really so typical. On the outside they may seem traditionally normal and for all intense purposes, that's definitely the persona they convey. However, on the inside tremendous rivalry and jealousies abound between family members, and acknowledgment of said issues are swept under the rug, and left to fester over a period of years, and feigning it's existence becomes the norm and family politics are born.

The negative side of this becomes the way in which these families function. By never addressing the issues that lead up to these feelings, one can only conclude that what feeds ones fear is the ridicule and humiliation that is often disclosed when the truth of the dysfunction become public. It's the skeleton in the closet that all families have, but want its identity concealed.

One only needs to study the issues that develop from the seven deadly sins. They are lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride. When examined as defined, the effects are quite damaging and in retrospect, enlightening as well. If one was to examine carefully all the meanings, one will recognize ones particular family or family member.

Lust

As defined, lust is a strong sexual desire. Perhaps there's a family member that has uncontrolled lust and as a result their life is torn and tattered. They don't have the ability to have healthy relationships with the opposite sex (or same sex). As a result, they engage in unsafe behavior, and the effects are detrimental not to just themselves, but the family as a whole? Do you recognize a family member that engages in such risky behavior?

Gluttony

As defined, gluttony is habitually eating in excess. This is the family member that engages in unhealthy eating habits that affects not

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>