Peoplemaking

by Virginia Satir

Recognized as a classic in family therapy and communication theory, Virginia Satir’s 1972 seminal work has been republished by Souvenir Press in Dec 1990. As the “Mother of Family Therapy” herself might sometimes it’s ok to enjoy dessert first. Read the last chapter first. There, Satir’s comments help us to cast the language and mindsets of the 1970’s into a more informed, compassionate and inclusive view of the great variations in humans and their family realities.

Genres: Psychology, Parenting, Nonfiction, Relationships, Philosophy, Self Help, Theory

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Virginia Satir (1916 – 1988) was an American author and psychotherapist, known especially for her approach to family therapy and her work with Systemic Constellations. She is widely regarded as the "Mother of Family Therapy" Her most well-known books are Conjoint Family Therapy, 1964, Peoplemaking, 1972, and The New Peoplemaking, 1988.

She is also known for creating the Virginia Satir Change Process Model, a psychological model developed through clinical studies. Change management and organizational gurus of the 1990s and 2000s embrace this model to define how change impacts organizations.

Reviews

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I pulled this off the shelf at the clinic I now work in - it's a classic for a reason. Satir wrote this for parents, and I cannot think of descriptions that are more clear, concise, and compassionate than Satir's as she explored communication, self-esteem, and the complex dynamics of family systems. I was going to write that my one quibble is that it's now outdated - a fair amount of heteronormative assumptions, etc. - except that once you get to the last chapter, Satir pointed to divorce, cohabitation and child-rearing without marriage, same-sex relationships, and polyamory and said, "What if all the practices that are now going on, which we have labelled as morally bad, were instead really evidence of the great variations in human beings?" In 1972! Way to preach, lady, and be WAY on the right side of history! Threaded throughout the book is the compelling idea that, in whatever form they take, families are how people are made, and the fate of the species thus rests on how supportive families are, and how supported they are, as well.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A colleague provided me a copy of this book as a Christmas gift in 1978. The communication stances are timeless. Although not the best writer, her ideas continue to be relevant in understanding communication on multiple levels rather than just verbal ones. I trained with her in 1986 and I can't begin to explain how this experience transformed me personally and professionally.

[Kholood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Changed my life and saved my life with my husband

[Dearbhla She-Her · Rating 1 out of 5]

quite dated e.g. explicitly states that homosexual relationships are not as valid as heterosexual relationships. Kinda lost interest after that point.

[Asungushe B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book's premise: Childhood is the time when the foundations for life are laid, and they are laid by the adults who have charge of the upbringing.

Satir insists on checking our "pots" - our capability and essentially our self-worth - in order to eloquently communicate the necessary truths that will produce responsible, faith filled adults.

Written 50 years back, the principles still hold true including her predictions of the "family of the future": redefinition of marriage (to include same-sex couples), legalisation of abortion, communal homes etc.

[Tobias von Duisburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dieses Buch sollte jeder Mensch lesen, bevor er eine Beziehung eingeht oder eine Familie gründet. Es beschreibt die Kunst des guten Lebens realistisch, differenziert und umsetzungsorientiert.

[Lorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dated AND concepts are still valuable

[america · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a classic in family therapy and communications theory. Written in the 1970's, it has the brave and bold sweep of those times. Intuitive, nurturant, and creative, Satir takes on too much in this book, which in general was the problem of the era in which this was written. But, when she hits she is brilliant. The best part of the book is the description of the role-playing that she feels bog most of us down and cause us to live lives of interpersonal misery. Those roles are The Blamer, The Placater (of the Blamer), The Calculator, and the Distracter. She guides you to become aware of these games and traps, and to be inspired to become the 5th type, The Leveler, which is the only authentic and helpful and healthy kind of communication. She seems to be saying that the ability to get in touch with your truth and to share it with others in a straightforward manner can help resolve most conflict situations with others. I loved the idealism and optimism about family life in this book.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

In many aspects, it is easy to forget that this book, written about family therapy by a pioneer of family therapy, was published in 1972. A lot of the techniques and schools of thought in this book are things still taught and used today. This was a decent book on understanding family systems and how they operate. The one key to realizing that this book is dated is the clear exclusion of same-sex couples, and a bias towards heterosexuals and their families. A good primer on family therapy!

[Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at family dynamics and how they have helped shape us and how we might perpetuate or change those roles. Be ready to have yourself simultaneously validated and realize the work that could lay ahead of you.

[Nyssa Hoerner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the last chapter first. The language in parts of the book is very dated and might be construed as offensive, but the last chapter shows he views better, so start at the end! Wonderful tips and tricks for being in a family. I highly recommend this book.

[Darlene]

AMAZING FAMILY DYNAMICS

[Daniel]

8/29/17 Refenced in Rebuilding When the Relationship Ends