The Perception of Unfairness: A Theoretical Reconceptualization of Role Corruption

Roles and responsibilities in families with children are constantly changing. While it is normative for adolescents to gain both responsibility and independence within their families, the appropriate timing of such changes is not predetermined. Mismatches between adolescents’ physical, intellectual, and socio-emotional development and their roles and responsibilities within families is thought to have negative implications and labeled ‘role corruption’. We propose a more inclusive framework for understanding adolescent roles within various family structures. We highlight that adolescents’ perceptions of “typical adolescence”, situational perspective taking, and unfairness influence their appraisal (positive or negative) of their roles and responsibilities within their family.

Generative Devotion Amid Religious and Relational Dualities at the Faith-Family Nexus

Generative Devotion is a pragmatic theory about how to address a system of dualities and tensions at the nexus of religion and relationships. The theory proposes that certain kinds of principles and process are more likely than others to lead to personal and relational wellbeing. At the nexus of religious faith and family life there are a number of complementary ideas, forces, tendencies, and relationships that must be reconciled to achieve optimal personal and relational wellbeing. This involves creating and sustaining a dynamic balance between different kinds of principles, processes, and forces found at the nexus of faith and family.