So what’s it good for?

I recently heard again the pragmatist question “So what’s it good for?” related to systems theory. It’s a natural question whenever matters of theory arise. The best answer, of course, is that it’s a theory and therefore not really good for anything in the pragmatist sense. That is, it’s not very utilitarian. It’s a tool for thinkers not tinkerers.

Having said that family systems theory is helpful for some things. For one thing, it helps provide a frame of reference for understanding phenomena. Here are some things that I find helpful from Bowen systems theory:

• It provides a natural explanation for evil. Religion provides its own explanations, from the simplistic “The Devil made me do it,” to more sophisticated moral explanations related to the nature of good, evil, and justice. A more naturalistic understanding of evil allows for understanding rather than judgment, and separates the sin from the sinner.
• It provides an understanding of the individual within the group. The theory can provide a corrective to unwarranted overfocus on individualism and self-determination. It reminds us that there is no self apart from community.
• It provides an understanding of people’s behavior without ascribing motive. Anxiety can make people do all sorts of (unthinking, reactive) things. I often remind people, “Observe function and don’t ascribe motive.” To others, “Don’t take it personal and don’t make it personal.”
• It explains the gap between what people say and what they do. We all suffer from the myth of cognition. We are very creative about coming up with all sorts of “explanations” of why we do things that have little to do with the cause of our behavior. And we all experience a wide gap between what we know, or say we believe, we ought to do and what we actually do. In this sense the theory helps us appreciate the power of biology and emotion over thinking.
• It helps us understand why the change is difficult. The concepts of homeostatis and multigenerational transmissions of emotional process can help foster patience and mitigate willfulness when trying to bring about change.
• It helps us understand how we get stuck in pattern of behavior. For example, discovering how our family of origin formatted within us patterns of thinking and feeling helps us understand why we repeat mistakes in relationships.
• It helps us understand what health looks like in individuals and in relationship systems like families, congregations, and businesses. It also helps us appreciate that health is a relative term.

In what ways does Bowen family systems theory help you?