Upcoming Issue — Volume 20.2

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FROM THE EDITOR:
Robert J. Noone, PhD

ARTICLES: Journal articles reflect natural systems thinking or are relevant to it. These may include concept papers as well as research studies.

SEXUAL REPRODUCTION: NATURE’S GIFT, NATURE’S CHALLENGE
Stephanie J. Ferrera, MSW
This study is an effort to address the complex subject of human sexuality by reviewing selected literature in biology, evolutionary theory, anthropology, primatology, and social sciences.  Sexual reproduction is understood as having evolved to provide variation to the gene pool of the population, thus providing protection from dangers that arise in a changing environment. Variation begets more variation, as sexuality pervades multiple levels of human behavior.  Humans vary in the formation of a sexual identity, in the ways they choose mates, in the differences between male and female roles, in the ways they work out those differences, in the ways they find resources to support a family, in the ways they adapt to changing socioeconomic conditions and cultural norms.  Darwin’s concept of sexual selection enlightens our understanding of mating and reproduction by looking at patterns of sexual behavior in many species and seeing some common ground with human behavior. Bowen theory introduces the family emotional system as another source of variation in many aspects of sexual reproduction. In viewing the family as an emotional system that generates variation among members in their levels of maturity, Bowen theory provides an important and original way of understanding the variation between families in their pursuit of reproductive success.

THE PIONEERS OF SIBLING POSITION: ADLER, TOMAN, AND BOWEN
John F. Butler, PhD
Sibling position and its effects on a person’s functioning remain of long-term interest to parents and professionals. This survey provides a brief biographical sketch and highlights the seminal contributions of three pioneers in this area: Alfred Adler, Walter Toman, and Murray Bowen. Each wrote and taught extensively on this topic, and the concept is part of their respective theories. Adler was the first to write about the position of siblings. However, his view was based on psychological factors rather than on biological data. Toman contributed an extensive research foundation and many other original ideas about family constellations. Toman’s concept of sibling position is the only concept initially developed by another that Bowen incorporated into his theory. Bowen placed the concept of sibling position within his other interrelated concepts in his theory. Last, distinctions between the theories are summarized.
Keywords: Sibling position, birth order,  Adler, Toman, Bowen

BRIEF REPORT: Brief reports present important ideas in development and promising research in its early stages.

OR NOT: CHOICE, SCIENCE, AND FAMILY THERAPY
Barbara Laymon, PhD, MPH
In these early years of the 21st century, much has been written about free will and determinism. While some recent science books take up the subject directly, others touch on it as they describe the evolution of life and the growing range of choices available to species along the way. The objectives of this brief report are to review some of the major new books discussing free will and to interpret their findings from a Bowen family systems perspective.
Key words: determinism, free will, family systems, evolution, adaptive capacity, goals

FACULTY CASE CONFERENCE: Presentation of a faculty clinical case, followed by a discussion with faculty members of the Bowen Center.

EMOTIONAL AND LEGAL PROBLEMS ARE A PRODUCT OF THE FAMILY: WHAT DIFFERENCES GRANDPARENTS CAN MAKE IN A FAMILY SYSTEM
Presenter: Carrie Collier, PhD
Broadening the lens to capture the family of origin emotional system and the history of symptoms are critical coaching moves to maintain a Bowen family systems approach. This broader emotional view focuses on family functioning rather than keeping the focus on the family’s legal issues and emotional symptoms. This frees the family to visualize new options and make changes.  

The grandparents in this family are seeking coaching to handle rising tensions in the triangles with their son and granddaughter. The additional intensity between their daughter and son also fuels the fire. The grandparents are the only parental resources in this family available to raise their granddaughter. The state removed the granddaughter from her mother and father, who is their son, due to prison time and neglect in the home.  

 The grandparents are juggling the intense emotional reactivity which drives them to provide help and financial support to their offspring, while also raising their granddaughter. They are learning to observe their own responses to their son and daughter’s functional challenges and starting to make subtle moves to do some things differently. The grandparents' roles have gradually expanded to include taking responsibility for their part in the problems, redefining what is really helpful, and connecting to members in their family of origin.  

Keywords: family projection process, triangles, grandparents raising grandchildren, parent child fusion, emotional distance, legal problems, symptoms, family diagram, multigenerational family history