It does this by resisting change, the use of feedback to control the behavior of family members, creating rules to maintain balance and a host of other techniques. Systems theory is useful for looking at the dynamics of family interaction. It provides a good framework for exploring family interaction, and allows you to look at the family and its context. Family Development - unilinear model looks at how family member deal with roles and developmental tasks as they pass through time. They are like a mirror of my behavior - when they reflect back an image of weirdness, I will modify my behavior accordingly.
Family is the cradle of class, gender oppression.
Negotiation - technique whereby you use your goals and resources to move the other party. Positive communication - skill as well as content.