WE tackled family therapy in psychotherapy class this week. As with most things in class, we realised how this doesn’t just apply to strictly clinical settings but also showcases psychological principles relevant to current events. It is befitting, after all, since the family lens is part of the systems perspective, where we see how systems perpetuate particular dynamics that affect each member. This becomes quite literal when we see flesh-and-blood family feuds show up in public speeches and other political confrontations. Unfortunately, the use of the political arena to reenact family dynamics adversely impacts the rest of us. They pull us into their longstanding personal conflicts to the detriment of our wellbeing, as well as our political and economic stability.
One rule in relationships is that the moment you’re rooting for someone to lose, the relationship loses. Thus, in a feud, nobody wins. The desire to win is appropriate in a competition, not in the family home. This adds to the reasons why family and politics should not mix: it erodes the family, and it also makes for poor politics. Family members entering politics bring a sense of competitiveness to the dinner table. National politics requires being cunning and cutthroat, especially if you want to win elections and get your bills passed.
