Web Lec 4: Turning Points

There are 10 turning points in adult children's relationships with their parents. These turning points influence the closeness of their relationship. The most significant ones found are: moving away to college and time of crisis - death in the family. "The ways in which our relationships with our fathers are likely to change are very different from the ways in which our relationships with our mothers are likely to change because the types of relationships we have (with them) are heavily influenced by CULTURE." (Ch. 15, p. 477) Mothers usually provide emotional support and engage in verbal and non-verbal affection. Fathers typically offer instrumental support, such as providing money and repairing automobile, and usually show affection by engaging in activities. Web Lec 4 indicates that physical distance was important for mother-child relational closeness and participating in activities was important for father-child.

According to Web Lec 4, little relationship research examines differences across CULTURES. In my experience, many FGC (First Generation College students), especially those who are the first child to attend college, have parents (father and mother) who did not want to see the child move away to college. The father provided emotional support and gave non-verbal expression of affection. He provided encouragement, hope, and ambition. The mother provided instrumental support such as cooking, cleaning, and spending time in public outings.