Codependency

Children of dysfunctional families come to believe they are responsible for their parents’ problems. As a result they develop low self-esteem. Carl Benedict, Counselor What types of  dysfunctional family roles occur in dysfunctional families? What we learned from our families colors the way we feel about ourselves and our relationships. Types Of Dysfunctional Family Roles: 1 or both parents have addictions like drugs, alcohol, promiscuity, gambling, overworking, or overeating. 1 or both parents use physical violence as a means of control. Children live in fear of outbursts. 1 or both parents exploit the children to take care of the physical or emotional needs of adults. 1 or both parents fail to provide or threaten to withdraw physical, emotional or financial support for their children. 1 or both parents exert strong authoritarian control over their children.

  Why did we, as children, adopt dysfunctional family roles in our family? In dysfunctional families the roles we took on tended to be unhealthy because of alcohol or drug addiction, physical or sexual abuse, or extreme aggression by a parent. We fell into these roles as a way to reduce stress and emotional pain. As a result our self-esteem – our degree of confidence in ourselves suffered. As children, we may have believed we caused the problems. We choose our different roles to survive the best way we know how. What role or roles did you assume in your family? We can take on different dysfunctional roles at different times.