Instructions
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 two-step process.
First you will complete research on family
genograms. https://genopro.com/articles/ is a helpful website that you can use for assistance with this assignment. (Hint – there are several articles on that page that
will help you with this section and the next one.)
Another resource that you can use for creating a genogram is How to Make a
Genogram Online | Edraw Max Online.
Write a summary (in a Word doc) on your research. Any information you use from
any source needs to be cited! Here are a few examples of topics you may want to
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 (you may 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 why not?
4. How could a genogram help a couple strengthen their relationship?
5. How could parents 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 from the
lesson to support your thoughts and ideas. The rubric (below) is what I’ll use to
grade your project:
