Conflict in Family Life, Role and Management of

At the core of healthy family functioning is conflict and how it is managed. Conflict occurs whenever two or more parties in the family disagree over a difference in wants, values, beliefs, or perceptions and then mutually contest that difference through words or actions in an effort to achieve resolution.

Despite the popular misconception that conflict shows something “wrong” going on because people are not getting along, conflict is actually a normal and necessary process through which people broker inevitable human differences in their relationships. Conflict is how family members sometimes learn to get along. It simply means that at least one party is discontent with what is happening or not happening, is willing to confront the issue, and at least wants to communicate about it ...