This assignment will help you gain a better understanding of your family dynamics by completing a genogram. A genogram is like a road map to your family history. This assignment will be a 3-step process.

First you will complete research on family genograms. https://www.genopro.com/articles/what-is-a-genogram.aspx is a helpful website that you can use for assistance with this assignment. (Hint – this is a great resource!) Write a summary (in a Word doc) on your research. Any information you use from any source needs to be cited! Please discuss: Requirement – Minimum of 1 page.

• The history of genograms
• How genograms are used
• How genograms are completed
• What are the benefits and/or challenges of developing a genogram
• Any other information you’d like to share from your research

For the second part of this assignment you will “map out” your immediate family. You may need to contact extended family members for help. If that’s not possible, no problem, do the best you can with the information you have. You’ll start with you and your significant other as well as your children. Then, if possible, please go back two generations. Remember, a genogram is more than a family tree. You need to identify relationships and their status (strong, weak, abusive, etc.), behavioral patterns (teen pregnancy, divorce, substance abuse, etc.), health issues and/or any other issues that you know of or become aware of during your research. 

Please complete your genogram using genopro.com, as a Word doc using whatever shapes, symbols, colors, etc. you want, or you can draw your genogram by hand, scan it, and upload it as an attachment. PLEASE keep in mind that this is not an art class – I’m not looking for a masterpiece. The purpose of this assignment is for you to see what patterns emerge within your family.

After you’ve completed your genogram please write a summary (just add to the Word doc you’ve started), that includes the answers to the following questions (as well as anything else you’d like to share): Requirement: Minimum of 1.5 pages.

1. What did you learn about your family history? (Please share as much as you are comfortable with. This assignment is very personal and your instructor is the only person who will read it.)
2. What was the experience of collecting information like for you?
3. Are there any patterns that emerged that surprised you? (For example communication, addiction, teen pregnancy, mental healthy issues, etc.) Why or why not?
4. How could a genogram help a couple, in general, strengthen their relationship?
5. How could parents, in general, use a genogram to educate their children?
6. Conclude your paper by summarizing what you learned from this assignment and how you can apply it to your family.

Your summary should be written in APA format with factual information to support your thoughts and ideas. ALL sources must be cited in the body of your work and listed on the Reference Page at the end. Please see the Announcements for examples, tips, and resources that can help you. The rubric (below) is what I’ll use to grade your project: