Reaction Paper About Genogram

“Ohana means family. And family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.” Who would think that a silly animated movie about aliens in Hawaii would speak volumes about the value of family? Lilo and Stitch had a very tense relationship throughout the duration of the film, but the guiding message was that quote. Lilo did not leave behind or forget Stitch, and Stitch did not leave behind or forget Lilo. I can see this in my own life through the genogram I created through theology class. In a special way, by creating this genogram, I have not forgotten those that provided me my heritage. Everyone in my family is irrevocably connected and we have chosen to not leave each other behind. That, in fact, is usually the case with most families today.

Conflict will always arise, though I know it will pass, it still sucks when it happens. I cannot prevent it, though I can always try to fix it. The awareness of my family’s faults will enable me to make my family better by my own example. I cannot force others to change, but I can always change myself. Whenever conflict arises due to conflicting personalities, I can learn to mediate through the heightened awareness I have received through this genogram. Though I was surprised at the vast differences from family member to family member, I have been made aware of questions I can ask each member, like, “What led you to break up with him?” or, “If you had to go back and change this relationship, what would you do differently?” Perhaps I would word the questions differently to fit the person, but that is just the general idea. Although conflict arises, no one is left behind or forgotten in the struggle. That is what my family does. Conflict might happen because of different beliefs, but those different beliefs help get us back together because we each function independently- we do not blindly believe each other’s words at face value and strive to come to our own conclusions. Our polarity comes at a cost but it also helps shape our identities. By reflecting upon my family, I have gained a better sense of not forgetting who my family