The first purpose of this assignment is to increase students’ knowledge and understanding of their family of origin relationship patterns, specifically as related to the Bowen and Structural system theories. Thesecond purpose of this assignment is to increase students’ awareness and knowledge regarding key cultural and community variables that influence, and are influenced by, their family of origin perspectives, beliefs, and values. The final purpose of this assignment is for students to become more aware of how family of origin and community-cultures of origin may impede or facilitate treatment with couples and families. For example, counselors’ assumptions about the “right” way to be in a family or having rigid goals for a couple/family in crisis could be very problematic for treatment and ultimately harmful to couples/families. All system models address inadequate/ineffective family functioning and “normal” family functioning and relationship patterns. Thus, it is not assumed that your family has a hidden pathology to be discussed, but instead that you become much more aware of your family of origin influences as related to relational functioning in the Bowen model and in the Structural model. Keep in mind that family relation patterns exist at all times. In order to effectively conduct this assignment, reflect on your family of origin from the perspective of a family theorist, not as a clinician. Specific assignment questions are listed below along with suggested ways of thinking about the assignment questions. Additionally, students are offered a list of potential signs they may be “off track” with the assignment (see list below).