4 Models of family Power

FOUR MODELS OF FAMILY POWER
Student’s Name
Course Title: Course Name
Date
Patriarchal Model
This model is ubiquitous in most societies even to the present age. In most Christian homes, there is a belief that the Scripture commands man as the head of the family, which implies that the man should be the lord of his household and that submission means that the wife should kneel to his authority. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the scripture calls for shared deference and the servant role model developed by Jesus (Philippians 2:5-8 and Ephesians 5:21) should be used as a guide. God requires both the husband and the wife to keep the glory and fear of the Lord ever before them. The entire submission is made only to the Jesus who was acquired them by the priceless value of life.
Democratic-Exchange Model
This model is premised on a belief that authority and control dwells in the family entity in its entirety. Family strategies are derived from negotiations and bargains. The use of power gives room for say to every member of the family, but since parents are the ones with the resources, they often have the upper hand about the family power compared to the other members of the family. This implies that they have an ultimate say in most decisions made in the family.
The Self-Interest Model
Societies in the present age are full of materialistic and self-centered hedonistic individuals.  They keep on making bargains with their interests first. This is a major concern for many.

In this model, the personal interests become primal compared to the needs of the others. In this model, people compete for places of authority, which inadvertently leads to a chaotic system. The direct result of such a system is family members’ becoming disconnected and finds extremely little support.
Empowerment Model
This model assumes that the roles powerful members of the family are to uplift and build the others who are less powerful. The idea behind this model can be exemplified in a Christian family. Empowered family members live out of the values of love, in particular as articulated in (1Cor 13). This model is dipped in love and action ideologies. It involves concentrating on the small things, and this is because the small things lead to bigger things. A family modeled in this manner empowers one another and elevates each other, through expressions of kindness, instead of asserting dominance, authority, or power of other members. When individuals in the family empower each other, they build high trust in their relationships. However, when they misuse their power through asserting of dominance and coercion, trust issues can tear down a family. It should be noted that trust becomes a critical issue in the process of empowerment. Children who are the result of empowerment from their parents are prepared for a responsible interdependence. Such parents impart upon their children the vital skill important to live as responsible adults and sustain responsible citizens. When parents employ irresponsible forms of authority and power over their children, the latter grows up disconnected from their family and discover harmful ways of employing the authority and when relating to other people. The promise of God’s love and the amazing grace found in his Son empowers people to empower others. A shared empowerment among members of a family encourages the exponential growth of each in humility and servant leadership. In fact, members of the family, who value this model, may begin to mature into the image of Jesus.
Bibliography
Balswick, Jack, O, and Balswick, Judith, K. The Family: A Christian Perspective on the Contemporary Home. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 2014.