John Bradshaw, Bradshaw on the Family: a Revolutionary Way of Self-Discovery, Health Communications, Inc., 1988

PROFILE OF A DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY SYSTEM

The dysfunctional family system has a third boundary. This one exists as an invisible line around the whole family. I call it the cultural or subcultural boundary. Nationalities and religious affiliations are the strongest factors in this type of boundary. Italians, Greeks, Irishmen, etc. have their own special rules and 'vital lies'. Likewise with Pentecostalists, Catholics, Baptists, Mormons, Jews, etc. These subculture boundaries control the flow of information coming into and going out of the family.... These boundaries can contribute greatly to the family's level of dysfunctionality.