For a number of different reasons, it seems that the sociocultural complexity of life today has created more tension among families than ever before. As such many families must turn to professionals for advice on family issues. When families seek advice on family issues it is often related to communication, respect, authority, or a commingling of those things. While society teaches us that we must stand up to our basic rights as human beings, and even to question those in positions of authority when we feel that we are being mistreated, this can go too far. As such, many family issues and problems can be attributed to some well meaning social changes that have occurred over the last 50 years. However, it can be challenging to find where to draw the line between standing up for your rights, and respecting the purpose of authority.

When you think about it, families can be thought of as a microcosm of American society. Everyone has different ideas, opinions, and goals; and there are sets of rules by which all must abide. Inevitably, there will come a time when people clash or feel they are being treated unjustly. The discord may lead families to seek advice on family issues. In order to help those families that seek advice on family issues, family help professionals will require family members to take the time to express their concerns clearly, to listen to others, and to compromise. This is the only way that true progress can be made through help family problems. Interestingly, politics provide an excellent illustration of the stubbornness, selfishness, and close mindedness that is typical of dysfunctional families. Therefore, politicians could use the same advice on family issues to help them to finally make progress.

When it comes to advice on family issues, family members must be open to the ideas of others, and not be so insistent on playing the role of the victim. Unfortunately, society today seems to enable victimism, by making people believe that it is their right to defy authority. Of course, this lead many to feel as if they are entitled to benefits they have not earned. The same is true of families. Authority and respect are intended to create order, for without order, no one will have any rights.