According to our textbook, many families have their own
important rituals. These rituals are repetitive behaviors that have special
meaning for a group or relationship. “Rituals serve a variety of functions in t
he family interactions, among them reinforcing a family’s values and providing
a sense of belonging. A family ritual such as an annual road trip isn’t about
the trip; it’s also about spending time together, creating memories, and
emphasizing how important family relationships are” (p. 336).
DIRECTIONS:
1. Recall and write about a family ritual from
your childhood or adolescence OR if you have a family of your own, call to mind
a ritual from your current home life OR think about a ritual that you would
like to start. Please keep in mind that there are many different types
of families; you get to decide who your family is and what kind of ritual you
many want to develop to celebrate it. 2. What did that ritual reflect about our
family’s rules, values and beliefs?
3. How did it reinforce the strength of your family
relationships?
4. Conclude with a brief discussion about whether
or not you will continue this tradition, why or why not?