ABSTRACT
This chapter offers a glimpse into the family soul by showing what narratives say and do in the realm of family life. It situates an understanding of family stories and storytelling within three overarching approaches, conceptualizing family storytelling as individual construction, as relational process, and as master narrative. It then presents the functions of family stories and storytelling in and beyond the family system, exploring the role of stories in constructing individual and family identities, teaching lessons and socializing family members to the rules and norms of family life, and helping to make sense of stressors and cope with difficulties.
