Second Blog Check Post #2

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 welcomed warmly by our younger siblings, who eagerly share their experiences with us.

Among my younger siblings, Sophia, McKenzie, Rylan, Ayden, and Little Mikey are all school-aged, attending either elementary, middle, or high school. Ava, who is 18, is preparing to earn her GED, while Brennan, being three years old, stays home. These various life stages define the roles each family member plays within our household. While my older sister and I focus on our education and jobs, my younger siblings dedicate their time to school, creating a clear division in our daily lives.

Despite being part of the same family, our individual routines differ. For instance, my schedule as a college student does not align with Ava’s, even though we are both young adults. This contrast highlights how each family member experiences life in distinct ways, even within the same household.

Growing up in a large and evolving family, I have observed noticeable shifts in our dynamics. When it was just the three oldest girls—Azren, Ava, and myself—our household felt more peaceful. My mom had a YouTube channel and dedicated more time to interacting with us individually.

However, as our family grew, I saw changes in my mom’s routine. With more responsibilities, she spent longer hours working, cleaning, and managing household tasks. The increase in family size meant that one-on-one time became more limited, and structured routines, such as chore charts, became necessary. What was once a home filled with toys, bows, and an abundance of clothes transitioned into a household focused on schedules, responsibilities, and efficiency.

To maintain order, we follow several important household rules. One key rule is bedtime. While sleep schedules vary for adults, teenagers, and children, most of my younger siblings begin winding down around 9 p.m.

Another crucial expectation is that everyone must contribute to the household. When my mom calls out, "All hands on deck!" we immediately start helping—whether enthusiastically or begrudgingly. The division of chores is structured based on age:

• Adults handle major responsibilities like dishes, cleaning cat litter boxes, and laundry.

• Teenagers focus on tidying shared spaces, such as the kitchen, living room, and front entryway.

• Children clean their bedrooms, with Brennan—the youngest—responsible for his own space.

This system has remained in place for as long as I can remember, ensuring that everyone plays a role in keeping our home organized.

Sex roles, as described in the article, play an interesting part in family dynamics. While I recognize traditional gender differences, I also see exceptions. For instance, when I encounter a spider, I instinctively scream and hide behind my taller brothers. While some men fear bugs too, I recently experienced a moment at work when my female coworker and I panicked over a spider, only for a male coworker to effortlessly kill it.

Generally, I notice that the girls in my family are more compassionate, sensitive, and expressive, whereas the boys tend to be logical, practical, and humorous. However, gender roles are fluid—people display characteristics that don’t always align with societal norms. In another class, I am learning that women can exhibit more traditionally “masculine” traits, just as men can possess “feminine” qualities.

In our household, the girls are often focused on makeup, conversations, and working hard, while the boys bring humor, mischief, and their own strong work ethic. This balance shapes the way we interact and relate to one another.

Our family dynamic may not be perfect, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Even when we get reprimanded (don’t worry, it’s never extreme), those moments have contributed to shaping who we were, who we are, and who we will become.

Our relationships align with Symbolic Interaction Theory because the way we interact—through arguments, teamwork, and bonding—continuously influences how we think, feel, communicate, and respond to conflicts. Every interaction helps shape our understanding of relationships, reinforcing the unique system within our family.

Here's a photo of me and my siblings from Christmas a few years back!!!