Family Relations Blog

Dear Classmates, I just wanted to share my thoughts on the RAM model discussed in class. I agree with it almost entirely—99.9%, to be exact—because I have personal experience that strongly supports it. While I’ve briefly mentioned my story before, I haven’t shared the full details until now. For privacy reasons, I’ll keep my ex’s name anonymous, but let’s call him John. John and I were in a relationship from January-September 2023. This was my second relationship, and at the time, I assumed everything we did was normal for a couple, so I didn’t question it. Our relationship had a unique code word, "Pretzel," which I could use if things ever felt overwhelming—similar to how some couples use "Pineapple." Since we had attended the same school and church ward, I thought I knew him well before we started dating. Around January, I finally gathered the courage to send John a note asking him to be my Valentine. He said yes, and immediately he assumed we were officially toge...

  Dear Class, I have always understood gender as male and female. However, as I have grown older, I have realized that people view this concept differently. One of my earliest memories related to gender was at a local Baptist church when I was around seven or eight years old. I noticed a man dressed as a woman, and in my childlike curiosity, I asked him, “Why are you dressed as a girl?” I remember that his response was immediate—he became upset and spoke to my mom about how hurt he was. At the time, I did not understand why, but as I have seen more people express themselves in different ways, I have come to recognize the emotions behind his reaction. Conversations about gender and identity are now woven into everyday life—appearing in social media, education, and relationships. Many of my friends are part of the LGBTQ+ community, and while I do not personally support their choices, I care deeply for them and strive to treat everyone with respect. Regardless of differing views, I be...

  Dear Blog, I hope everyone has been well. Coming from a large family means constant change. Some of my siblings spend months at their mom’s house, four switch between homes with their dad, my older sister has moved out, and Ava and Brennan stay at home while I’m away at college. This dynamic has not only shaped our relationships but also impacted our financial realities in different ways. One of the biggest changes in my family has been the shift in social class over the years. When my mom and their dad were together, our financial situation was stable, but after their divorce, it changed drastically. For a time, it was just the seven of us with my mom, and money was tight. My older sisters and I had to step up, helping with babysitting, cooking, and keeping the household running while my mom worked tirelessly to support us. This period taught us humility, as we adjusted to living with less and appreciating what we had. Meanwhile, my siblings who split time between homes experien...

 Haley Olson FAM160 Professor Williams Deep Dive (How does our memory influence the way we perceive the world and form questions using the scientific method?) The scientific method is something most of us have encountered since 3rd or 4th grade. Have we ever really taken a closer look at it? As a refresher, the scientific method begins with forming a question, which then leads to creating a hypothesis. From that hypothesis, we design an experiment, collect data, analyze the results, draw a conclusion, and then allow others to replicate the work. One of our readings this week, "How Science Works, and How Can We Know What is True?", helped me understand this process in more depth. The first step in the scientific method—making observations and asking questions—relies heavily on perception. Perception is how we become aware of the world around us through our senses. According to Safari, it’s defined as “the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses.” ...

Haley Olson FAM160   Professor Williams My Family Dynamic Family plays a significant role in shaping who we are, and my family is no exception. When we are all together, we make up a group of 12. I have five sisters—Azren, Ava, Sophia, McKenzie, and Brooklyn—and four brothers—Rylan, Ayden, Brennan, and Little Mikey. Our family is completed by my mom and my stepdad, Big Mikey. Like many families, ours naturally forms alliances. According to the article, family members tend to bond closely with certain individuals within the group. In our case, alliances often emerge between the oldest and youngest. My older sister and I share a strong connection, while Brennan, who is just three years old, is still developing his relationships with everyone. Our family functions within a structured system, shaped by our individual routines and responsibilities. Currently, my older sister Azren and I live away from home, either attending college or staying in a dorm. Whenever we return, we are w...