Why Family Communication?
You may wonder why we specialize in family communication, given that communication covers many fields. There are undoubtedly other applications of communication that are more widespread and established in the consulting world. So, why is family communication so important and worth investing in its improvement? In this Q&A style article, our founder and lead consultant, Emily Dawson, M.A., will answer these big questions and more!
Duly Noted Question: What is “Family Communication?”
Emily’s Answer: Before I can convince you of the importance of family communication, it is key that you know what we are talking about when we say, “Let’s improve your family communication skills.” The term communication is so ambiguous these days with its amazing variety of applications that we must have common ground in what we know to be the communication we want to address when we talk about “family communication.” This type of communication focuses on how individuals communicate with and interpret the boundaries of their family. Family Comm also addresses the complex dynamics of how family members interact with one another. It is an intricate piece of communication social science studied in quantitative and qualitative research spaces. For example, some Family Comm scholars ask broad questions that aim to see the societal picture of family, such as, “How, if at all, do young adults understand the concept of family?”¹ Others may ask more specific questions about concepts or events that impact family, such as divorce and remarriage, “How do adult stepchildren who have a positive relationship with a stepparent characterize turning points in the development of that relationship?”² Research like this produces incredible knowledge that can be used to help individuals and family units improve their communication and well-being. When I realized how powerful this knowledge can be in transforming lives, I knew I had to help Family Comm escape the academic sphere and reach as many people as possible through consulting - my idea for Duly Noted was born.
Duly Noted Question: Why does Duly Noted specialize in the Family Comm sector of the communication field?
Emily’s Answer: To my surprise, this field is still new and evolving in the academic community (popularizing within the last thirty to forty years) and certainly has not spilled over well in industry yet. So, the primary reason for our specialization is not only my personal passion for the subject but also the evident gap in research and field application of Family Comm. Communication as a broader field has been studied for much longer and worked its way into the hearts and minds of most other fields as an integral part of what it takes to run a successful business or “be a successful person.” However, when we don’t consider family communication's crucial role in our development as individuals, we miss a considerable potential for improvement in many ways. Family communication touches every person as we all form familial bonds, whether with our biological family or perhaps chosen family³. This makes it such an exciting communication research sector as it continuously grows as families become more dynamic. In summary, we specialize in Family Comm, hoping to touch and improve as many lives as possible because, when done right, revolutionizing family communication can bring fantastic overall quality of life benefits for all people willing to dedicate themselves to making positive change.
Duly Noted Question: Why should you invest in improving your (family) communication?
Emily’s Answer: It’s no secret the world has come to value communication; here in the U.S., our K-12 system instructs on reading comprehension, writing, and introduces students to presentation-giving skills, and most universities are now requiring basic communication courses for writing, public speaking, etc., regardless of your major. Unfortunately, most of the theory and application of deeper communication principles are not tapped into within our education system unless you pursue communication (not marketing or PR, mind you, but communication as a science) as your field of study. By investing in the deeper levels of communication and connecting them to the most formative context of your communication habits - your familial experiences - you have an exponential opportunity to improve as a communicator. After all, not all your parents passed on to you is genetics. If you have ever stopped yourself mid-conversation and said, “Woah, I really sounded like my dad there!” you have lived experience recognizing your family has influence over your communication patterns and style. We aren’t just born with a particular way of communicating; we learn how to communicate by interacting with those around us. For many of us, the first eighteen years of learning to communicate are mainly spent with our biological families. It’s important to understand how these formative years shaped your communication and, from there, address any issues or make improvements to help you and your family (be it the family you were born with or whomever you wish to define as your family) make the most out of your relationships. By working with Duly Noted, you will get the opportunity to unpack, improve, and reflect on the incredible communication experiences and opportunities we have with our family members, helping you become a better communicator over time. It’s really the kind of untapped potential you do not want to miss out on.
Links to additional resources:
³ Kinship Practices Among Alternative Family Forms in Western Industrialized Societies
