Written by Aqnees Zulkiflee
As we all know, a good family relations are build on a strong communication. Without a strong communication in a family, there will be a difficulty in building a healthy lifestyle among the family relationship itself. Thus it can for sure affect the family communication in a family. But still, what is family communication? What do you think of a family communication when you hear about it? A happy family laughing together during dinner? A fight with your brother or sister? A visit to your grandparents? Well for your information, all of that is a family communication.
Communication involves the ability to pay attention to what others are thinking and feeling. In other words, an important part of communication is not just talking, but listening to what others have to say. Communication within the family is very important. It enables members to express their needs, wants, and concerns to each other. Besides that, open and honest communication creates understanding and able to resolve the unavoidable problems that arise in all families.
We know that communication is the process of giving and receiving information. Nowadays, many families live far apart and they do not see each other frequently. Even when they are at home, everyone’s schedule may be so full that it is difficult to find enough time even to eat a meal together, let alone sit down to talk. Besides that, the emergences of technologies also have its effect towards family communication.
Cell phones, e-mail, and new technology bombard us, creating many interruptions to family time. People nowadays especially teenagers or even adults might spent too much time on their cell phones rather than having a conversation between them. However, we should also realize that because of the technologies, it can help us connect with those who are living farther away. The challenge is to make time to interact face-to-face with family. Therefore, there are an advantages and disadvantages of the technologies towards the family communication.
Marriage and family therapists often report that poor communication is a common complaint of families who are having difficulties. Poor communication is unclear and indirect. It can lead to numerous family problems, including excessive family conflict, ineffective problem solving, lack of intimacy, and weak emotional bonding. Therefore, having a poor communication between the family can associated with an increased risk of divorce and marital separation and more behavioral problems in children. In my opinion, communication within family can be in effective communication or poor communication. It is depends how the family member do their job as to remain the harmony in house.
Various communication skills can be found on how to improved family communication. As we all know in Malaysia we do have this Ministry Of Health Malaysia in giving very useful information on what can be done to improve family communication in Malaysia. They can also organised a campaign to promote ways on how to have a better understanding on family communication thus it can for sure attract a lot of people to know more about the importance of family communication.