Date of Award

9-1977

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

First Advisor

Margaret McAllister

Second Advisor

Allen Hill

Abstract

Living Together/Growing Together explores the psychological and social dynamics of communal family life through both historical research and personal experience. Author Tina B. Tessina, drawing from her own participation in a cooperative living group (CLG), investigates why individuals choose to live communally and how such environments can facilitate personal growth and autonomy. The study proposes that communal living satisfies higher-order psychological needs—such as belonging, mutuality, and self-actualization—as outlined by theorists like Maslow and Berne.

The work is structured around key themes of group stability, including charismatic leadership, common ideology, external persecution, and companionship/cooperation. Tessina provides historical case studies of successful communal groups such as the Shakers, the Rappites, and the Oneida Community, analyzing what made them resilient or led to their decline. Contemporary cooperative groups, including Tessina's own, are examined through the same lens, offering insights into how modern collectives navigate interpersonal dynamics and societal perceptions.

Tessina outlines six developmental stages of communal or family group life—Courtship, Marriage, Honeymoon, Breaking In, Settling Down, and Completion—paralleling stages of individual psychological growth. These stages are used to frame how groups evolve over time and support (or hinder) member development. She advocates for intentional planning, open communication, and flexibility in group processes to enhance success and prevent stagnation or conflict.

This work serves as both an academic inquiry and a practical guide for those interested in alternative family structures, communal living arrangements, or therapeutic group processes. Tessina emphasizes that while communal living may not be a universal solution, it offers valuable insights into human relationships, emotional resilience, and the pursuit of psychological health in nontraditional settings.

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