Structuring the black family for survival and growth

The options presented in this article provide an additional frame of reference for understanding some of the relationships between the parts, the whole, and the environment in which they exist, on the assumption that a "holistic" view may give a more accurate picture of the problem, as well as suggest some possible solutions. The black family, as the primary unit of socialization for the black community, must maximize the survival and facilitate the growth of its members. From a social systems persepctive, the relationship of the black family's internal structure to the external environment provides important insights. Internal boundaries must be firm but permeable to maximize both survival (firm boundaries) and growth (permeable boundaries). Assaults from the external environment must be managed to provide psychic relief for family members. What becomes clear, in structuring the black family to cope with boundary intrusions, is the way in which family members can organize, prepare, and preserve the integrity of the family system without losing sight of the task.