3. “BIG LOVE” FAMILY FORMATION
Bill – Husband to Barb, Nicki and Marge. A
practicing polygamist, business man and
eventually a Republican Senator for Utah
Barb – The first wife and matriarch of the
family. Has three children with Bill. Allowed
him a second wife after having a
hysterectomy after a bout with cancer.
Nicki – Bill’s second wife, and was Barb’s
caretaker during her cancer treatment.
Also the daughter of the “cult” Pastor. Has
two children with Bill.
Marge – Bill’s third wife. Very young and
naïve; has three children with Bill.
4. “Consensual families are high in both conversation and conformity
strategies with their communication characterized by pressure for
agreement” (Galvin, Bylund and Brommel, 2012, p. 173).
TheHenricksonfamily relies on all wives and children to make equal contribution, and
also share the same values and attitudes, both religious and fundamental. These
observations indicate they're a Consensual family.
Bill is shared between the three women, and families, by a weekly schedule which
includes special occasions and holidays.
Barb is the matriarch of the family, often being asked by the other wives to talk to Bill
for them about certain things.
The wives have weekly meetings, during which they discuss the family finances,
Bill’s schedule and needs that must be met for the family.
New car for Marge
Kid’s clothing
Vacations
Wives allowances
5. ROLES AND COMMUNICATION PATTERNS
The Henrickson family is dealing
with a different kind of family
dynamic that makes communication
a tricky concept, but they execute it
exceptionally well.
“Within families, roles are
established, grown into, grown
through, discussed, negotiated,
worked on, and accepted or
rejected. As family members mature
or outside forces impact the family,
roles emerge, change, or
disappear” (Galvin,
Bylund&Brommel, 2012, p. 150).
There is a chain of command
between the wives which respects
the order in which they were
married.
Throughout the series, the wives
and family change as the children
grow and roles transform.
These changes bring select family
members closer and push some out.
6. SPECIFIC ROLE FUNCTIONS
“Family functions can be categorized as instrumental
(providing the resources for the family), affective
(support and nurturing, adult sexual needs), and mixed
(life-skill development and system upkeep)” (Galvin,
Bylund&Brommel, 2012, p. 151).
The wives fall into each of these categories quite well,
with a few crossovers.
Barb (First Wife) holds the instrumental function on her own
being the only wife with a job and essentially the head of the
household.
Nicki (Second Wife) does the shopping for the family, falling
into the instrumental category, as well as being in charge of
general upkeep of the family and life-skill development of the
children.
Marge (Third Wife) is definitely the nurturing wife for the
children, as well as Bill.
7. FAMILY SECRETS
The Henrickson’s are not publically polygamist. With Bill being
a public figure, they take great care in protecting their secret
to avoid scrutiny.
Though the primary function of this family’s secret is defense,
it also provides a bonding opportunity for the women.
8. “An image of ones family embodies what is expected from it,
what is given to it, and how important it is (Hess &Handel, 1959)”
(Galvn, Bylund&Brommel, 2012, p. 38).
The text gives multiple examples of images that can be used as a
metaphor for a family, but the most suiting for the Henrickson family
is the image of a hand.
The idea of the fingers (family members) being attached to the hand
(family) and serving each other is the most fitting.
The Henrickson family is brought together by a number of things, but
most importantly,
their religious belief of polygamy
and spreading God’s
gospel.
It is expected of the
wives to maintain the
household and be obedient
of their husband at all
times.
9. POWER, INFLUENCE & DECISION MAKING
“Decision making, like power, is a process that belongs to the
family system, not to an individual” (Galvin, Bylund&Brommel,
2012, p. 182).
The decision making process in the Henrickson family
involves a family meeting with the wives and Bill.
Occasionally the process is bypassed by Barb making a
decision on her own, either for her own benefit or because she
was asked by Nicki or Marge.
Nicki and Marge do not make their own decisions for the
family, even if it is solely for their own children.
