The entropic family is one that tends to lose its purpose and focus over time and simply runs down. His idea is that an intentional family does things to keep its purpose and focus. For Doherty, this means doing things that bind the family members together.
Family relationships happen in context.
When there is not context, the relationships don't happen. He proposes a number of very simple and basic contextual situations that develop into rituals in which relationships flourish. He begins with family meals, then morning and going to bed rituals, couple rituals, special days, holidays, weddings and funerals. These serve as idea starters for development of personalized family rituals. It would become clear that communication was a contextual event.