Familial Experiences: The Translation in Adults' Future Romantic Relationships

Abstract

This paper explores the different ways in which familial experiences can impact an adult’s future intimate relationships. There are multiple factors such as parent-child attachment styles, parenting styles, personal background (race, ethnicity, religion, culture) and gender that influence their approach and attitude towards intimate relationships. Current research suggests that positive upbringing and familial experiences positively reflect adult children’s future intimate relationships. On the contrary, unpleasant familial experiences can negatively impact one’s social competency, jeopardizing their ability to maintain and establish relationships with others. I will discuss the multidimensional factors traced from the quality of family relations and how that translates to adult children’s intimate relationships. Family serves as children’s initial sense of emotional bond, moulding their competence in various social settings and ability to establish relationships with others.