First, most people have had only limited exposure to family groups different from their own, and thus have formed erroneous conclusions about the nature of family life throughout our society. There is no typical family, just as there is no typical individual. There may be as much variation among families as there is among individuals. Despite this diversity, however, all families function as social systems and share certain elements. Second, it is helpful to understand the organization and structure of family life in relation to the pattern of changes experienced by its members.
Families constitute an extremely complex group experience.
They are composed of several personalities rather than only one. There is a close interrelationship between developing individuals and developing families. What affects individuals also affects their families and vice versa. The challenges a family group faces, for example, often affect family members' success in meeting their personal growth needs. Third, knowledge of the organization of families promotes understanding of the changes that influence family life over time.