SOCIAL STUDIES 801KSECTION ASSN # 6

CONFLICT IN THE FAMILY

1. Some of the major sources of conflict between parents and children arise because of the
generation gap.
2. The generation gap may be defined as the divergent views held by parents and their
children concerning matters of everyday life. The following are areas where parents and
children disagree:
a. Music – teenagers prefer loud music; parents prefer soft, classical music.
b. Clothes – teenagers prefer short, revealing clothes; parents prefer conservative
apparel.
c. Prayers – teenagers prefer to attend parties and the movies; parents prefer if they
attend church.
d. Freedom – teenagers want to go anywhere, anytime; parents prefer if they return
home before dusk.
e. Friends – teenagers want adventurous friends; parents prefer responsible friends.
f. Television – teenagers like violence and sex; parents prefer educational shows.
g. Courtship – teenagers want boyfriends/girlfriends; parents want none of that.

Conflict between spouses

After the honeymoon period, reality and challenges of family life take their toll and erode some
of the initial enthusiasm of the married couple. Conflicts continuously arise which threaten the
foundation of the marriage. These include:

1. Offspring – differences in views regarding the amount and timing of children

2. Household chores – how these responsibilities should be shared
3. Finance – who controls the finance
4. In-laws – interference by in-laws
5. Nagging – continuous demands of one partner to get the other to do as they wish
6. Cooking – one may prefer cooked meals while the other would rather eat out
7. Leisure time – how to spend free time, with friends or each other
SOCIAL STUDIES 801KSECTION ASSN # 6

Conflict among siblings

The nature of these conflicts varies from family to family depending on family size, age of the siblings,
and time and resources which parents expend on their children. Common conflict situations include:

1. Household duties – not equally shared

2. Brighter children given more privileges
3. Some children get more expensive clothes than others
4. Parents praise one while criticising the other (the black sheep)
5. Some children possess more attractive qualities than others (the graceful swan vs the ugly
duckling)