The low rate of communication between family members is one of the problems the society is facing which should be addressed to prevent social vulnerabilities, said Vice President for Women’s and Family Affairs, Masoumeh Ebtekar, on Wednesday.
Speaking at a congress on family and intergenerational communications, held in Semnan Province, Ebtekar put the emphasis on considering inter-family problems which may lead to social troubles.
Today, the decrease of communication between family members and communication disorders is one of the great challenges of the country, which requires cooperation of cultural organizations to be dealt with, Mehr news agency quoted Ebtekar as saying.
Currently, the rate of family communication in Iranian families stands at 20 minutes per day, while the previous records show about 120 minutes of family communication, she regretted.
Many children express anxiety and worry in today’s families which roots from communication problems existing between generations, the female VP noted.
Although, there exists many economic and social problems in the society which affect family life, the parents should create a safe home for the children to prevent delinquent behaviors in the future, Ebtekar explained.
According to a study made at Virginia State University, family communication refers to the way verbal and non-verbal information is exchanged between family members. Communication involves the ability to pay attention to what others are thinking and feeling. In other words, an important part of communication is not just talking, but listening to what others have to say.
Communication within the family is extremely important because it enables members to express their needs, wants, and concerns to each other. Open and honest communication creates an atmosphere that allows family members to express their differences as well as love and admiration for one another. It is through communication that family members are able to resolve the unavoidable problems that arise in all families.
Just as effective communication is almost always found in strong, healthy families, poor communication is usually found in unhealthy family relationships. Marriage and family therapists often report that poor communication is a common complaint of families who are having difficulties. Poor communication is unclear and indirect. It can lead to numerous family problems, including excessive family conflict, ineffective problem solving, lack of intimacy, and weak emotional bonding.
Researchers have discovered a strong link between communication patterns and satisfaction with family relationships. In fact, one researcher discovered that the more positively couples rated their communication, the more satisfied they were with their relationship five and a half years later.
Poor communication is also associated with an increased risk of divorce and marital separation and more behavioral problems in children.
Source: Tehrantimes