15 Types of Family Crisis
Family is a blessing and a challenge at the same time. Usually, serious relationships start with romantic affairs. At the edge of life together, none of the future spouses thinks of the problems they might encounter when married.
Most often, people tend to believe their family life won’t be combated by problems. However, the reality is different. No one is perfect after all, and most families do face certain issues on the way.
Yet, forewarned is forearmed. So, let’s consider the most common types of family crises for your life rather be a happy journey than a battlefield.
Understanding the Types of Family Crisis
To paraphrase a well-known saying, so many families, so many crises. No two families are alike. The same is true for problems and conflicts families have to struggle with. By and large, though, the crisis could be categorized into several types people encounter when living together as a family.
Each type of crisis requires a different approach and level of support, and a clear understanding of these differences can help individuals and families prepare for stressful situations and respond appropriately.
More than that, by being aware of what family crises might be like, people will be able to identify warning signs and take proactive steps to prevent a crisis by addressing the problems before they escalate into apparent confrontation.
In general, there are a few major crisis groups embracing the following:
- Financial crises;
- Health crises;
- Relationship crises;
- Substance abuse crises;
- Legal crises.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the major problems that stand behind those family crises and how you could deal with them. We’ll start with lighter and more manageable issues and go to more serious problems that are harder to tackle.
1. Work-Life Disbalance
On one hand, the era of digitalization and smart technology makes our lives a lot easier. Yet, it’s only to a certain extent. On the other hand, the fast-paced life and consistently evolving business environment throw more challenges at us. So, for many of us, hitting a work-to-life balance is easier said than done.
When one of the spouses is too focused on their career and sacrifices family time for professional growth, problems in a couple that will become the first sign of the upcoming crisis are inevitable.
Mastering time management techniques might become a life-saver in this case. You just need to learn to juggle your time a bit more skillfully for your family does not feel abandoned.
2. Lack of Communication
Miscommunications and misunderstandings inside the family are the roots of many conflicts and family issues. Strange though it might seem, the nearest and dearest often fail to effectively communicate while living together. Eventually, people start distancing from each other and feeling alone while in a relationship.
Even poor communication is better than the lack of it. Talk to your loved ones, share your thoughts, desires, and concerns with them. Let them feel needed and valued.
3. Consistent Minor Conflicts
While arguing is a normal thing for people in a relationship, the way you argue matters a lot. Every recurring minor conflict will impact your relationship in a way. And some of those habitual quarrels might cause a major crack and trigger big blowups leaving you with emotions that are harder to cope with.
When you argue, try to stay calm and not hurt your significant other with your words or behavior that might ruin your bonds at some point.
4. Living at a Distance
Long-distance relationships often end up in family crises since people fail to maintain the emotional connection and simply get used to living separately. They start building their own routines without each other and often feel like strangers when meet.
Kids also suffer from such relationships. They lack the attention, care, and engagement of the parent who lives at a distance. To stay close and remain a family in this case, both spouses should do their best to communicate and discuss any minor family issues to be in touch.
5. Family Relocation
Moving to another place is not always an adventure as you might expect. First of all, it’s a big stress for all family members, especially if you move to another country or have to leave a place where you’ve lived for a while.
To handle discomfort and make this family experience positive and exciting, learn as much as possible about the place you are heading to. Join local groups, participate in activities engaging a whole family, and try to find new friends to integrate into a new community.
6. Baby Birth
It happens that a new baby’s arrival comes not only with joy and happiness but also with a family crisis. Most often, this problem occurs in families with older kids when a mother shifts her focus to a newborn. The father and older children feel abandoned and forgotten. At the same time, a mother might feel fatigued and exhausted.
The best thing to do in this situation is to split home chores and try to spend more time together as a family. To retain intimacy as a couple, you could hire a babysitter and go out from time to time.
7. Infidelity
A more serious problem than any of the above, infidelity can cause a deep family crisis. Causing emotional pain and the feeling of betrayal, anger, and loss, infidelity ruins trust and often leads to relationship breakdown. Needless to say that it negatively affects the whole family.
It is important for couples to communicate honestly and openly and work together to rebuild trust if they seek to save their family.
8. Divorce
Divorce is accompanied by the division of assets, child custody battles, and legal fees. It causes significant stress and financial strain on both spouses and the family as a whole. Negative effect on kids is inevitable too.
The prime task of former spouses is to remember that they are still parents and try to separate on a maximum positive note. Though not all parties manage to maintain friendly relations after divorce, it’s never too late to try to make your family member feel happier.
9. Domestic Violence
Abusive behavior can be devastating for all members of the family. Children who witness violence at home may suffer from anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems. For the victims, though, the effects can be even more profound. Physical injuries, psychological trauma, and loss of self-esteem are to name a few.
Under such circumstances, it’s essential to seek both legal and psychological help and to separate from an abuser.
10. Job Loss
An unexpected loss of a job can ride people down and make them feel frustrated. It can’t but impact family relationships in a negative way. It might result in an especially serious crisis if the breadwinner loses the job, and many family needs are put at stake.
While searching for new employment, family needs and responsibilities should be reviewed and resources rearranged to survive the hard times together.
11. Financial Issues
Debts and bankruptcy are serious problems that put a strain on the whole family. Limited resources and financial stress cause tension and disagreements between family members. Eventually, this leads to conflicts and emotional distress placing stability at risk.
Open communication about their financial situation and joint work to manage the debts can help keep balance in the family. Consulting an experienced financial advisor won’t go amiss as well.
12. Serious Health Conditions
If one of the members has a chronic or terminal illness or a mental health issue, the rest of the family might be intensively affected too. Not only an ill person but also all other family members need professional help and support in this case. Patience and professional assistance will take you through this.
13. Addiction States
Alcohol, drug, and prescription medication addictions are among the major causes of family crises. Not only do some members ruin their health but also they ruin the whole family. Tension, quarrels, miscommunication, lack of trust, and financial strain make people feel helpless, frustrated, and in a constant state of crisis.
To manage addiction and minimize its impact on their own lives, individuals should seek professional help. Consider addiction treatment programs, support groups, and counseling.
14. Problems With the Law
Similar to addictions, arrests, imprisonment, and court processes heavily impact family stability and personal relationships. To avoid digging deep into a crisis, you’d better be honest with each other from the start and find both legal and psychological advisors to guide you through this.
15. Death of a Family Member
Grief and mourning can disrupt family routines and dynamics. Besides, all members cope with the loss of a loved one in their own way which alone might cause conflicts and misunderstanding.
It’s essential for family members to find someone who will navigate them through grieving to overcome isolation and regain emotional connection.