Roles in Dysfunctional Families
This person is blamed for the family's problems.
They act as a distraction from the family's real problems.
The Scapegoat or black sheep
Johnny
Moira
Alexis
"Ew, David"
The Rose Family
Schitt's Creek
Mom dies
Dad marries evil stepmother
Two evil stepsisters
Cinderella
Lack of boundaries
Overly dependent
Feel responsible for others' happiness
Enmeshed
Bart Simpson
The scapegoat
This person receives special treatment and praise.
Can do no wrong.
The focus on this child often masks the family's underlying issues.
The Hero, Golden Child, or Saint
Homer
Marge
Bart
Lisa
Maggie
The Simpsons
Vito Corleone
Michael Corleone
Italian Mob family
The Godfather
Emotionally secure
respect the individual boundaries
open communication
Functional
Luisa Madrigal from Encanto
The Hero
The funny one.
Uses humor and playfulness to reduce tension.
Their actions cover up the family's deeper issues.
The Mascot or Clown
Peter
Lois
Meg
Chris
Stewie
Brian
The Griffins, Family Guy
Kevin McCallister
Family left him behind at Christmas
He fights robbers
Home Alone
Few guidelines or rules for behavior
Little or no structure
Little or no consequences
Permissive
Lisa Simpson
The Golden Child or Hero
Tries to maintain harmony, often at their own expense.
Sacrifices their own emotional needs.
Does not allow natural consequences to occur
The martyr
The Enabler, Caretaker, Peacemaker
Kris
Kourtney
Kim
Khloe
The Kardashians
His wicked uncle murders his father - the king
His uncle becomes King of the Pride Lands
A Broadway musical
The Lion King
Strict rules
mistakes are shamed
physical and emotional abuse are common
Rigid
What role do you play?
Response
Like to feel invisible and unnoticed
Removes self from the family whenever possible
Strong feelings of loneliness and cravings for love
The Lost Child
Ned
Catelyn
Robb
Sansa
Arya
Bran
Jon Snow
House Stark, Game of Thrones
Robin Williams
Dressed up as an elderly nanny to be close to his children
Runs a television program
Ms. Doubtfire
Relationships are distant
loneliness and isolation
poor or lack of communication
"silent treatment"
disengaged
Describe your family system
response