family interactions
...ared by siblings. This example shows how the physical environment is influencing the interaction pattern between the siblings. There might be some animosity between the siblings on the shared space and the feelings that “this is MY side” are always in play. Another example of space would be the semi fixed feature space. This is referring to “flexible space created by the arrangement of furniture and/or other moveable objects over which the inhabitants have control” (page 359). This can be seen influencing interactions by using an example of siblings sharing a room again. One sibling might purposeful arrange his or her bed and other furniture to avoid having to view the other sibling. In this case, the furniture can be the boundary between the siblings. Another example of space would be territory. Just like animals, people also mark out their territory in places. “Human territoriality is concerned with claiming spaces for functional purposes: places to learn, places to play, and places to hide” (page 360). This could be as simple as a child in the family claiming a section of the playroom for the sole purpose of his or her use only. The child might not allow the other children or even friends to invade this territory. Another way that the physical environment affects family interaction patterns is by the neighborhoods that you live in. “The surrounding territory partially dictates a family’s way of relating to the outside world” (page 365). The different types of neighborhoods can range from planned communities, Co-housing communities, urban communities and gated communities. In a planned community, they “may expect certain social responses from its individual households; those who choose to live another lifestyle may find themselves ostracized” (page 365). Family interaction patterns can be affected in a planned community positively. The type of community may promote getting socially involved in the community and with other families. One example that is given in the book is the town of Celebration. It is “designed to provide residents with the sense of community which is missing in many locations” (page 365). The next type of neighborhood is the co-housing community. These are “homes and neighborhoods that agree to share tasks such a...