New Peoplemaking

This book is for anyone out there trying to get a better understanding of the relationship between the family system and society as a whole.

People who find Virgina Satir's work and ideas interesting will probably also enjoy reading "A Passage to Intimacy" by Lori Gordon. Gordon took the ideas of Satir, George Bach, Daniel Casriel and others and incorporated them into her relationship skills classes (PAIRS--Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills)--[...]

May the last reviewer forgive me. After reading such review I felt compelled to speak up for this book. First of all, this is not a book about existential theory, so if that is what you are into, look elsewhere. Existential theory is largerly individual. Satir on the other hand is a Family Systems theorist. I am not gifted enough to explain the difference well in a small space, but systems theories are worlds apart from individual, and perhaps especially, existential thought. What her theory is called is experiential, so maybe that was just a typo.Anyway, I feel that saying that positioning bodies to match certain attitudes by begging on your knees was the theme of this book is a large exaggeration. That is by far not Satir's theme; it is only one chapter in a 26 or 27 chapter book. And, Satir herself claims trying those postures will probably feel ridiculous. They are simply meant to bring up exagerated feelings so we may begin to recognize when we are assuming certain roles in subtler situations in everyday life. Her actual theme is communication, healthy and unhealthy, between family members and how it affects what goes on in the family. I would also say that her thoughts on self-esteem underly most of the rest of her thought.Now the book is indeed long, but I do not believe in making something unduly short so it may make it in the top ten. Perhaps it would have been possible if she had wrote it in highly specialized terminology, but the grace of this book is her ability to make it simple. To do this, one has to explain what one means, and that takes space, but makes the book highly readable and friendly. I indeed agree with the reviewer who claimed if what you are looking for a quick family fix, you will waste your time looking here. Quick fixes were never known to change the world.And folks, let us remember that this book is 16 years old. Corny, but very adorable. Still, good things last a long time. And if you must laugh at Satir, I doubt she would mind it; she herself claims in this very book we must be able to laugh at ourselves.Just please, if you must heed some negative criticism about any book, (and this one is by no means perfect and immune to real negative criticism) just make sure it is by reviewers who have read the whole book.Why someone who doesn't like a particular theory at the outset reads books about it I don't know. Hopefully not to feel entitlement at criticizing opposing viewpoints without even knowing the theory behind it.

As a family man and soon counselor-to-be, I am dismayed at the number of books re: the family that are pathology oriented. If as a student all you ever were some of the mainstream texts/resources, which are so reductionistic, you would come away with a view of the family that would have you questioning whether or not the very institution itself is viable for sustaining the mental health of all of its members. Not so Virginia Satir's work which is very positive and uplifting. She resists the temptation to simplistically blame everything on "dysfunction" between the partners in the "marital dyad," and instead looks at the family as a collection of imperfect individuals who all have a potential to grow and learn. I especially like her emphasis on finding the family's strengths and building on those. Anyone can take a look and come up with "what's wrong." But this does nothing to solve problems and foster resiliency, which all families need in this decidedly familly-hostile culture. Whether you are an experienced family therapist, counselor-to-be,or a mental health generalist, if you work with and have an interest in families, I encourage you to get to know the works of Virginia Satir. This one perfectly encapsulates her paradigm for working with families in need.

Virginia Satir writes in an easy to relate to style about positive ways to support and encourage growth, development and understanding of the people in your family. Through simple games she helps you get in touch with what the existing relationships are among your family members and how they work, or why they may not be working as well as they might. She reaffirms that we own all of the parts of ourselves that make us who we are, and makes it easy and OK to take a look at them. Perhaps there are some behaviors that are puzzling, or get negative results that you see in yourself or other family members. After reading this book, you will see loving and comfortable ways to bring those behaviors into the light of day without criticism or embarrassment. Then, following simple but meaningful guidelines, you and your family will gain understanding and insight into behaviors and relationships that your family uses as its operating system. You will be able to work on changes that you decide to make, and continue to feel trust and support of your family. Perhaps they want to change some things too.