Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores the teaching of interpersonal and relational communication in several ways. It demonstrates the use of effective relational communication through the reflective practice of writing about difficult relational situations and conversations. The book provides a brief summary of important relational and interpersonal concepts to give people a context and a way to frame their reading of the case studies that follow. It details how our life situations, social and political contexts, and uncertainty about relationships influence our disclosure decisions and our personal and relational health. The book explores family communication through cases that query how family dynamics contribute to and hinder relational health, what people mean by family, what it means to be a good mother, father, and caregiver, and how family stories are illustrative of our ideas about relationships, gender, class, race, and power structures.