Common Family Tendency
It’s often said, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” and this old adage perfectly encapsulates the essence of family tendencies. Families, the foundational units of society, profoundly mold individual personalities, serving as the bedrock of our thinking and behavioral frameworks. Grasping the concept of family tendencies offers valuable insights into predicting and interpreting individual quirks and behaviors, and even anticipating potential health predispositions. Dive into this article to explore the depths of family tendencies and their pervasive influence.
Key Takeaways on Family Tendencies
- Family tendency refers to the shared patterns of behavior, responses, preferences, and inclinations observed within a family unit. These can range from dietary habits and activity preferences to daily routines and broader life perspectives.
- Family tendencies are distinct from family traits, primarily because traits are often genetically inherited, whereas tendencies are learned and acquired through shared experiences and environment.
- These tendencies can manifest as both positive and negative influences, shaping habits, beliefs, and even career paths across generations.
What Exactly is a Family Tendency?
Family tendencies shape behavior and thinking patterns
Family tendency is defined as the characteristic behavior and response patterns prevalent within a specific family and its lineage. It embodies the collective inclination of family members towards particular beliefs, actions, and preferences. These shared inclinations commonly extend to eating habits, lifestyle choices, daily routines, perspectives on the world, religious orientations, material values, and thought processes (1). Crucially, family tendency significantly impacts a child’s developmental journey, as individuals learn and internalize behaviors from their immediate surroundings (2).
The influence of family tendency permeates various facets of an individual’s life and personality, shaping their core characteristics (2 (3) (4) (5)):
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It dictates typical modes of thinking, judgment, attitudes, and established norms within the family unit.
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Individuals often find themselves instinctively replicating family tendencies, even when consciously trying to diverge from them, indicating a deeply ingrained cultural perspective and set of responses.
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Each family possesses unique dynamics, motivations, and mindsets that profoundly influence younger members’ perceptions of themselves and the world around them. This influence can be both constructive and detrimental, affecting behavior, relationships, and overall outlook.
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Economic circumstances also play a significant role in shaping family tendencies. For instance, families struggling to meet basic needs might develop a tendency towards frugality or a preference for budget-friendly options, potentially increasing vulnerability to malnutrition and related health issues.
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Family tendencies can extend their reach to personal habits, anxieties, professional aspirations, community involvement, pet ownership, and health concerns, demonstrating their comprehensive impact on individual lives.
The saying “you are what you eat” gains a familial dimension when considering family tendencies. You may, in many ways, become a product of your family’s typical patterns. While exceptions exist, where external social influences or negative peer groups can lead to the development of undesirable habits or even criminal behaviors (6), the family’s influence is undeniably powerful.
Exploring Family Tendency Examples
Family tendencies are not inherently good or bad; they exist on a spectrum from positive to negative. To fully grasp this concept, let’s delve into specific Family Tendency Examples across various aspects of life.
1. Learning and Education
Family involvement in education is a strong tendency
The role of parents in shaping children’s academic paths is undeniable (7). Families that prioritize education often pave the way for their children’s academic success. Educated parents are more likely to seek out quality schooling and guide their children towards informed educational decisions. A family’s aptitude in specific subjects can also become a tendency; for example, a family with a strong background in mathematics might find their children naturally inclined towards and excelling in the same field. Similarly, a family deeply involved in music may foster a musical inclination in their children. However, it’s important to acknowledge that these are tendencies, not guarantees, and individual paths can always diverge.
Research underscores the significant link between family background and academic engagement. Children from stable family environments often demonstrate greater participation in school activities and experience fewer disciplinary issues. For example, data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that children from families with married parents showed a 33.7% involvement rate in school activities, significantly higher than the 25.7% for children living with single parents. Furthermore, children in married-parent households were less likely to face school suspensions compared to those living with single parents or guardians (8).
Source: The Link Between Family Background and Academic Success; Institute of Family Studies/US Census Bureau
2. Food Preferences
Food preferences stand out as a prominent example of family tendencies. Shared meals, cultural backgrounds, family traditions, and established habits collectively shape what a family enjoys eating. This influence is particularly strong in young children who develop dietary preferences mirroring those of their parents and siblings as they begin sharing family meals. Grandma Donna, in her blog ‘Down to Earth,’ reminisces about her sons’ early food experiences: “They both started eating porridge – the same one we enjoyed, then grew up with all of us sitting at the kitchen table for meals; there were no special foods.” She further illustrates this point by describing a family-specific dish: “I gave them the occasional chop bone to chew on, and they loved them… The purpose of the exercise was to get them used to seeing us eat and for them to eat the same food (i).”
However, shared food preferences can sometimes lead to negative health outcomes. Families with a penchant for high-fat, high-sugar, and oily foods may inadvertently cultivate a family-wide tendency towards obesity and related health issues. Such dietary habits increase the family’s susceptibility to lifestyle-related diseases. Overcoming these ingrained family tendencies often requires conscious effort and lifestyle adjustments. Conversely, families that prioritize health and nutrition instill positive eating habits across generations by adhering to strict diets and healthy meal plans.
Point to Consider: Family tendencies also extend to career paths and professional inclinations, with families often showing a pattern of gravitating towards similar professions or businesses.
3. Language
Language acquisition and usage are also subject to family tendencies. Children raised in monolingual households might face challenges when learning additional languages later in life. Conversely, families that regularly use multiple languages often foster bilingualism in their children, which becomes a defining family characteristic. Research suggests that bilingualism in children is linked to enhanced cognitive abilities and improved social understanding. These benefits include linguistic advantages and cognitive flexibility, allowing bilingual individuals to seamlessly switch between tasks, mirroring their ability to switch between languages (9).
4. Manners and Etiquettes
Manners and etiquette are learned family behaviors
Manners and etiquette are powerful examples of learned family tendencies. Families develop both spoken and unspoken rules that become integral to their culture, influencing how members dress, speak, and behave. These norms dictate acceptable and unacceptable actions in various situations. These learned manners and etiquettes guide individuals in navigating social interactions and specific scenarios (3).
Thomas Vanboven, from the Vanboven Family Foundation, recounts his upbringing where manners were highly valued: “In our family, good manners count for everything. As children, my sister and I learned not to raise our voices, never to ask personal questions, and to avoid dissension at all costs. If we violated those rules, my parents would only have to raise their eyebrows to let us know that our behavior was out of line (3).” This illustrates how deeply ingrained manners can become as a family tendency.
5. Traditions
Family traditions, passed down through generations, are quintessential examples of family tendencies. Each family develops unique ways of celebrating holidays and upholding customs that are deeply woven into their heritage. The specific execution and adherence to these traditions become hallmarks of the family identity, solidifying them as family tendencies (3). Christmas celebrations, for instance, vary widely across communities and even individual families, demonstrating the diverse expressions of tradition as a family tendency.
6. Lifestyle
Healthy lifestyles can be a positive family tendency
Lifestyle choices, encompassing health habits and daily routines, often reflect strong family tendencies. Health-conscious families may prioritize early mornings, exercise routines like yoga, nutritious diets, and maintaining clean living environments. These families cultivate a shared appreciation for healthy living, making it an inherent family inclination. However, lifestyle tendencies can also be negative. Unhealthy habits, such as sedentary lifestyles or substance abuse, can also become family patterns. Studies reveal a significantly higher risk of alcohol problems among children of alcoholic parents, highlighting the intergenerational impact of lifestyle tendencies (10).
7. Perspectives
Shared perspectives and worldviews are common family tendencies. Families, bound by common values and shared experiences, often develop similar approaches to life, problem-solving, and perception. Growing up within a family unit shapes how members approach challenges, their lifestyle choices, and their overall outlook. Some families may be driven by ambition and the pursuit of power and wealth, while others may prioritize contentment and stability, avoiding risks and challenges. These perspectives become ingrained family tendencies, influencing younger generations. Similarly, families that value community service and helping others often instill these values in their children, leading to a family tendency of volunteering and supporting charitable causes.
8. Nationalism and Political Tendency
Political views and nationalistic sentiments frequently emerge as family tendencies. Attitudes towards citizenship and core beliefs shape political orientations, patriotism, and national identity. These viewpoints often become family-wide tendencies, persisting unless individual members develop differing opinions (11). Political science professor Lisa Argyle notes, “Political science research shows that families are typically the ‘starting point’ for someone’s political views… especially in the young adult years.” She emphasizes that strong parental communication of political views at home significantly influences children’s political leanings as they mature (11).
9. Broken Family Dynamics
The experience of a broken family can also create family tendencies. Members of families that have experienced separation or divorce may develop challenges with commitment and trust in relationships. Children from broken families are often more susceptible to stress, depression, frustration, and feelings of inadequacy (12). A 2022 study in KnE Social Sciences highlighted a direct correlation between family dysfunction and the likelihood of depression in children, illustrating the lasting impact of broken family dynamics as a family tendency (13).
10. Abusive Nature
Abusive tendencies are negative family patterns
Unfortunately, abusive behaviors can also manifest as family tendencies. Families with patterns of verbal or physical abuse, particularly towards women and children, create deeply damaging environments. These tendencies have profound and lasting effects on children as they grow. Children exposed to abuse may internalize negativity, exhibiting disrespectful behavior, low self-esteem, feelings of abandonment, anxiety, and anger (14). Research indicates that men who grew up in patriarchal families where they witnessed domestic violence are more likely to perpetuate similar abusive behaviors in their own relationships (15). Similarly, girls from abusive families might normalize violent behavior in partners, perpetuating a harmful cycle.
11. Beliefs and Taboos
Conservative beliefs and adherence to taboos can also be strong family tendencies. Families may uphold traditional views and restrictions, particularly concerning women’s roles, educational opportunities, and career choices. Strict rules and rigid behaviors can create restrictive home environments where individual autonomy is limited, and decision-making is centralized within a few family members. Growing up in such environments can foster orthodox beliefs and an expectation that society should conform to these beliefs (3). For example, discussions surrounding menstruation and sexuality are often considered taboo in some cultures, particularly in patriarchal family structures, limiting open communication and perpetuating misinformation.
Strategies to Identify and Manage Family Tendencies
Family tendencies, being learned and adapted behaviors, are not immutable. While positive family tendencies should be cherished and maintained, negative tendencies require conscious identification and management. Effective strategies for addressing family tendencies include:
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Observation and Open Dialogue: Actively observe and discuss recurrent negative behaviors or patterns within the family, such as patriarchal attitudes or unhealthy communication styles.
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Creating Safe Communication Spaces: Foster a family environment where open and honest communication is encouraged and valued.
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Questioning Traditions and Beliefs: Initiate discussions about family traditions, beliefs, and rules, encouraging critical thinking and understanding of their origins.
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Understanding Origins and Impact: Explore the historical context and intended purpose behind certain beliefs and practices, and evaluate their current impact on the family.
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Reinforcing Positive Tendencies: Actively nurture and celebrate positive family tendencies like healthy lifestyles, good manners, and a helpful disposition.
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Challenging Toxic Traits: Encourage family members to challenge and speak out against toxic traits such as abuse, rigid thinking, and harmful biases.
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Individual Expression and Exploration: Support each family member in expressing their individuality and exploring their personal interests and perspectives.
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Diverse Viewpoints and Opinions: Promote open discussions that value and consider diverse viewpoints and individual opinions.
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Establishing Boundaries: Set healthy boundaries within the family to ensure mutual respect and individual autonomy.
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Collective Effort for Positive Change: Work together as a family to replace negative habits with positive ones, fostering a supportive environment for growth and change.
Family Tendency vs. Family Trait: Understanding the Difference
It’s crucial to distinguish between family tendency and family trait. Family tendency, as discussed, involves learned habits and behavioral patterns. In contrast, family traits are typically genetic characteristics passed down through generations (16). For instance, eye color is a family trait determined by genetics, while a family’s habit of late-night sleeping is a family tendency acquired through shared lifestyle.
Point to Consider: Practicing gratitude and showing appreciation for small gestures within the family is often considered a positive family trait, fostering strong bonds and positive interactions.
Modern lifestyles with reduced physical activity can contribute to lifestyle diseases, which may appear as family tendencies. However, conditions like high blood pressure or thyroid disorders, when genetically predisposed, are considered family traits (17). Illnesses or conditions arising from family tendencies, rather than genetic predisposition, can still affect multiple family members due to shared habits and environments. Family tendency is learned and adaptable, unlike inherited genetic family traits. For example, while a predisposition to anger might have genetic components, extreme anger or criminal behavior is more likely rooted in learned family tendencies (18).
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Tendencies
1. Why is understanding my family’s inherited traits important?
Knowing your family’s genetic history and common inherited traits helps assess your risk of developing genetic disorders like heart disease or diabetes. This knowledge empowers you to make informed lifestyle choices and take preventive measures. However, the manifestation of these genes and conditions depends on a combination of factors, including lifestyle and environment (19).
2. Is a family tendency always guaranteed?
While family tendencies are prevalent, they are not absolute guarantees. Individual family members may develop unique traits and habits influenced by personal experiences and external factors, leading to variations within the family pattern.
3. How can families manage health risks related to family tendencies?
Managing health risks involves proactive steps like educating oneself about potential conditions, monitoring for symptoms, prioritizing overall fitness, undergoing regular health check-ups and screenings, and detecting early warning signs. These measures are crucial for mitigating the impact of hereditary conditions and family-related health tendencies.
4. How do family tendencies influence family planning and pregnancy decisions?
Family tendencies, particularly genetic predispositions, can significantly impact family planning. Families with a history of specific health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer, may consider these factors when making decisions about family size and reproductive choices. Genetic counseling and testing can provide valuable information in such cases.
5. Are there ethical concerns regarding genetic testing for family tendencies?
Genetic testing raises ethical considerations due to the sensitive nature of personal genetic information. Concerns exist around data privacy, security, and the potential for misuse or discrimination based on genetic predispositions. Protecting individual genetic data and ensuring responsible use of genetic testing technologies are crucial ethical imperatives.
Family tendency plays a profound role in shaping individual perspectives and worldviews. From food habits to lifestyle choices and core beliefs, family influences are pervasive. These environmental factors significantly impact children’s development within the household. Remember that family tendencies differ from genetic family traits. While negative family tendencies can be modified through collective effort and determination, positive tendencies should be nurtured for a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Infographic: Common Family Tendencies
Living together often means picking up on family habits and quirks. These tendencies vary across families and can be observed across generations. Explore the infographic below for common family tendency examples typically shared among family members.
Common family tendencies infographic
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Illustration: Family Tendency: Definition and Examples
Family tendency illustration
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
For a deeper understanding, explore sociological perspectives on family definitions, diverse family structures, and marriage across cultures. This video delves into residential and descent patterns and examines three major schools of thought on the societal roles of marriage and family.
Personal Experience Source
MomJunction articles incorporate firsthand accounts to offer richer insights through real-life experiences. The personal narratives referenced in this article come from the following source:
i. Children and parents eating the same meals https://down—to—earth.blogspot.com/2013/05/children-and-parents-eating-same-meals.html
References
MomJunction’s articles are meticulously crafted using research from expert authors and reputable institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. Learn more about the credibility of our information in our editorial policy.
1. The Factors That Influence Our Food Choices; Food Facts For Healthy Choices (2006)
2. The Role Of Family In Child Development; Children’s Bureau (2017)
3. The Effects Of Family Culture On Family Foundation; Council On Foundations
4. B Abbas Al Ubaidi; Cost of Growing up in a Dysfunctional Family; Journal of Family Medicine and Disease Prevention (2017)
5. R D Conger, K J Conger, and M J Martin; Socioeconomic Status, Family Processes, and Individual Development; Journal of Marriage and Family (2010)
6. J Waldroop and T Butler; Managing Away Bad Habits; Harvard Business Review (2000)
7. A J Egalite; How Family Background Influences Student Achievement; Education Next
8. The Link Between Family Background and Academic Success; Institute for Family Studies
9. Krista Byers-Heinlein and Casey Lew-Williams; Bilingualism in the Early Years: What the Science Says; LEARNing landscapes (2013)
10. Family History of Alcoholism: Are You at Risk?; Los Angeles Country Department of Mental Health
11. K Holbrook; How family and religion influence young adult political views; The Daily Universe (2020)
12. S S Jogdand and JD Naik; Study of family factors in association with behavior problems amongst children of 6-18 years age group; International Journal of Applied & Basic Medical Research (2014)
13. Cholifah Utaminingtyas et al.; Family Dysfunction and Depressive Tendencies in Adolescents; KnE Social Sciences (2021)
14. Family violence explained; Better Health Channel; Victoria State Government
15. Zareen Nishaat Beebeejaun-Muslum; Gender Relation, Patriarchal Control, and Domestic Violence: A Qualitative Study in Mauritius; European Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (2024)
16. What is inheritance?; Your Genome
17. Q Qibin et al.; Genetic Predisposition to High Blood Pressure Associates With Cardiovascular Complications Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes; American Diabetes Association (2012)
18. D Garcia-Arocena; The Genetics Of Violent Behavior; The Jackson Laboratory (2015)19. D Garcia-Arocena; Why is it important to know my family health history?; MedlinePlus
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Bharat Sharma is a qualified Integrative Psychotherapist in Alberta, Canada, with extensive experience in family and individual counseling.
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