This week I learned a lesson about symbols. In our society we communicate with various symbols, we have language as a common symbol in each country. we use hand gestures as symbols to communicate both positive and negative messages. we generally view these symbols to be useful and helpful, but what happens when we don't share the same symbols? Symbols can only communicate so far as they are commonly understood between individuals. Greater levels of communication are possible when individuals share many of symbols such as word choice, and and other cultural factors. On the opposite end of the spectrum symbols can create hindrances in communication if there is not a common understanding of what certain symbols mean. so example some words are perfectly acceptable for us in this country and very inappropriate in others.
With all of this talk about symbols, one might ask "What does this have to do with the family?" the answer is communication. There is no greater forum for communication than within the bounds of a family. and there is no greater building block of society than a family unit. Successful communication of symbols within families and among families Means successful communication within a society. successful communication can mean the difference between function and dysfunction in a society, between understanding and chaos.
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