From the day we are born until the day we die: Lifespan

What we can know, see, do (i.e. reach) today: Wingspan

The family is a system, all members influence each other. The family system changes with transitions, such as kids going off to college, marriage, divorce. Despite these changes, the family continues to exist and be a source of influence on our lives. The family system is a powerful influence on the relationships experienced by each of its members, relationships both inside and outside of the family system.

The family system continues to influence the quality of personal relationships across the life span.

It is well known that the experience of parental marital conflict and divorce may result in
long-term consequences for social outcomes and personal relationships in
young adults whose parents get divorced. The experience of parental conflict being particularly troubling for kids. The divorce itself can be a turning point in terms of conflict.

The continuing influenc...

Family members are intensely connected emotionally.

 This connectedness can foster reactivity.

 As family members, we react not just to each other's behavior but to what we believe are each other's needs and  expectations.  We watch carefully, albeit mostly subconsciously, for changes in each other’s behavior. We do so in order to predict what will happen next, based upon past experience.

The family members watching another’s behavior will react in what they believe will be reciprocal to the action they are predicting is about to occur.  Around it goes, a change in one person's behavior or functioning will lead to a reciprocal change in the functioning of others.

It's impossible not to be impacted by other members of the family system, even if we are separated, especially if we are still parenting, because family members are emotionally interdependent on each other to some degree.

This emotional interdependence is a human characteristic of evolution. In promoting cohesiveness ...