A
dysfunctional family is a
family in which conflict, misbehavior, and often child
neglect or
abuse on the part of individual parents occur continually and regularly, leading other members to accommodate such actions. Children sometimes grow up in such families with the understanding that such an arrangement is
normal. Dysfunctional families are primarily a result of
co-dependent adults, and may also be affected by
addictions, such as
substance abuse (
alcohol,
drugs, etc.), or sometimes an untreated
mental illness. Dysfunctional parents may emulate or over-correct from their own dysfunctional parents. In some cases, a "child-like" parent will allow the dominant parent to
abuse their children.