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This is the artwork of an anonymous artist who depicts their feelings about ANXIETY. Anxiety is a condition that is exacerbated by many social issues. More and more I am learning how my family members, friends, colleagues, and students deal with everyday moments of anxiety. 

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Carrying the Weight: Motherhood in the Midst of Stress

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Sadera Morrison's Documentary Photography. 

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Sadera Morrison's Documentary Photography. 

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This image reflects the quiet but heavy burden of a mother struggling with the stresses of life, sitting in a dim hallway as if weighed down by unseen challenges. Despite her exhaustion and emotional strain, she remains present with her child, showing the deep responsibility and love that pushes her to keep going, even in the darkest moments. It shows the silent strength of motherhood, where personal struggles are set aside to nurture and protect a child, no matter how overwhelming life becomes

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Unhealthy Family Dynamic: Toxicity can ruin a child's well-being

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Moesha Alfred's Documentary Photography 

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Moesha Alfred's Documentary Photography 

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This picture displays a toxic relationship between parents, and kids trying not to hear their parents arguing, this is an example of an unhealthy family dynamic. Parents are unaware of how toxicity and negativity can affect a child long term mental, physical and emotional health. A disorderly household raises a disorderly child.

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Battling demons: Alcoholism and its destructive properties on families.

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Ana Aguilar's                           Documentary Photography

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Ana Aguilar's                           Documentary Photography

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This image reflects a father's inability to resist another drink and the worry in his son's eyes as he looks on not knowing what the result will be this time. Despite the fact that the father would probably like to stop drinking or drink less, he is nearly powerless in his will and ability in the powerful face of alcohol.

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Aramis  Rodriguez's  Documentary  photograph 

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Aramis  Rodriguez's  Documentary  photograph 

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This  image represents a global ongoing issue of substance abuse. Regardless  of  race, gender, or age, people who battle with any form of addiction can create an unstable family enviorment. Creating resentment and uncertanties in children  due to the fact they may believe that the addiction itself is their fault. Some risk factors include mental health disorders, peer  pressure, lack  of family   involvement, early use and much  more detriment if not addressed properly  by seeking or getting help.

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masking depression, anxiety, anger, and poor mental health with a smile

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This image represents the stigma that surrounds men and seeking mental health, and the emotional and psychological impact men will experience by going untreated. Men are 3.88 times more likely to commit suicide and nearly 1 in 10 men experience depression or anxiety but less than half seek treatment. This has created a culture for men of toxic masculinity where repressed emotions are showing up in relationships in toxic ways as a result of not seeking help for their mental health.

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This image depicts a couple in a moment of financial stress, due to medical debt. The man in the foreground looks distressed, holding his head while calculating expenses or payments using a calculator. Papers appear to be bills, and piles of cash are spread across the table, emphasizing the financial burden of prioritizing your family's health. The woman in the background also looks concerned as she checks something on a tablet, maybe reviewing more bills or financial information. The scene conveys a sense of worry and tension, common in situations where medical costs have accumulated and become overwhelming for many families.

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Conflict Perspective: Every society is plagued by inequality based on social differences. 

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I took this photograph in Bronx New York to show the importance of an ethnic enclave and how ethnic communities retain cultural distinction from larger surrounding areas. Children in these communities are exposed to urban poverty, drug abuse, prostitution, child neglect, poor education and violent crimes. They are born into an ascribed status that socializes them and shapes their life differently than the average American child.

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This image shows a child that feels left out when they notice their siblings receiving more attention or praise, the child is older than her siblings and this feeling can grow during family activities where they feel overlooked or when their accomplishments go unnoticed and they internalize this perception, thinking they must compete for affection. This can foster feelings of inadequacy and build resentment towards their siblings that may lead to future problems like displaying destructive attention seeking behaviors, struggles with mental health, issues with self worth and an overall struggle appropriate coping skills in adulthood.

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High interest rates have made it almost impossible for people to afford homes. Rents have increased faster than wages in most US cities over the past few years. The lack of affordable housing contributes to social inequality, with low-income families being forced to live in overcrowded housing.

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This father and his young daughter are standing on a busy intersection, holding a cardboard sign asking for help. The father's weary eyes reveal a sense of desperation, while the daughter plays with a toy, an innocent reminder of the life they’ve been forced to leave behind. This photograph captures the stark reality of economic hardship, highlighting the increasing number of families who find themselves on the streets, seeking support from strangers.

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This photograph depicts the collapse of the family as a unit due to divorce. Displaying parents who once came together as a whole to support their children who now stand as two separate individuals. Leaving their children to be an island of hope for peace within the chaos. 

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Jeanelle Biscette´s Documentary Photography 

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Jeanelle Biscette´s Documentary Photography 

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This photo shows a family outside their temporary shelter, emphasizing the emotional strain caused by displacement amid the global housing insecurity crisis. The image underscores the challenges many families face in securing stable, long-term housing, a critical necessity for their well-being and safety. It reflects the broader struggles of those affected by this worldwide issue.

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This is the artwork of Marcy Orendorff, it's called The House Carriers. The art shows how children carry their family troubles from home to school and everywhere else. Children experiencing fighting, or domestic violence at home, carry that pain with them throughout their whole lives. This affects their psychological development and how they "turn out" in adulthood.

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This photo is showing what a domestic violent relationship may look like. Children who witness their mothers being abused by their partners are at a higher risk of anger, hostility, disobedience, and withdrawal(Domestic Violence Is an Epidemic | Anthem Strong Families, 2024).

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Above is a photo of an empty fridge, a brutal reality for lots of families in America. Food insecurity is a nationwide issue; which describes the struggle to provide an adequate amount of food for your family. This then leads to hunger; the physical condition people are left in while going long periods without eating.

Citations

Sethi, S. (2021, January 15). Hunger and food insecurity are not the same. here’s why that matters-and what they mean.The Counter. https://thecounter.org/hunger-food-insecurity-covid-19-feeding-america/

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This image titled "Washington (southwest section), D.C. Two Negro boys shooting marbles in front of their home," was taken by documentary photographer Gordon Parks who focused on capturing social issues. As described in the title, the picture shows two young, Black boys playing in front of their home which appears to be in poor condition. While low-income/poverty households disproportionately affect Black families, any family can face the physical, emotional, and social damages of living within this social issue.

Reference

Scott, C. (2020, March 10). Early work of groundbreaking photographer Gordon Parks on view at Addison Gallery of American art. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/chaddscott/2020/03/10/early-work-of-groundbreaking-photographer-gordon-parks-on-view-at-addison-gallery-of-american-art/?ss=arts.

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I took this photo when I was on a trip in Chicago. It is of a single mother with her young son out to dinner, the mother was distracted on her phone throughout the entire dinner. This picture represents the social issues that technology presents to families. Most people's lives are consumed by technology which replaces quality family time and can put a strain on familial relationship.

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Domestic violence exists within many families and predisposes children to physical and social problems. It tends to show them that violence is a normal way of life, which increases the chances of them becoming an abuser or a victim in the future. Here is an image that shows a child sitting, waiting for her abuser to inflict pain upon her with his or her clenched fist.

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Madeleyne Torres's Documentary Photography 

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Madeleyne Torres's Documentary Photography 

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This is a picture of the recent debate between two presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. This is an example of role conflict, these two people have different opinions on what they think is best for this country and the different things they will do if elected. The decision of who wins the presidency will be vital to all families in the U.S.

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This is a picture that I took of a fridge that's filled with various food items, but about half of one shelf is filled with just alcohol this is to represent the effects that alcoholism can have on a family. If a parent is an alcoholic the child is usually forced to care for the parent in some way when they are drunk, this can take away from their childhood greatly. They are forced to take care of themselves and learn to do everything without the help of a parent by their side.

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I took this picture while on my way home. Reason I took this picture, I’ve noticed that some streets depending on the area look better than others. With all the tax money we pay, they’re used for what the state wants to use it for and not things that are important like rebuilding a neighborhood or safer road.

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Mental illness, carelessness, or overwhelm with responsibilities can lead to a physically and mentally unsafe environment for a family to reside.

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This photo displays a clear example of a home that has been entirely neglected. Not only is it cluttered, there is clearly dirt and other various substances on several of the surfaces. Things can get to this state in a variety of ways, including mental or physical ailment or a parent's inability to balance their responsibilities due to time constraints or simple neglect. This creates an incredibly dysfunctional and chaotic environment, which can further lead to health and safety concerns.

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This photo shows a family sitting in the same room, but each person is focused on their own phone. Even though they are physically together, the use of technology creates distance and limits meaningful interaction. It highlights how modern families struggle to balance screen time with quality time, making it harder to build strong connections.

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family sitting on their phones at dinner table

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A big social problem in the U.S. is when ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) takes people away from their families because they are living in the country without permission. Sometimes, parents are taken and their kids are left behind, scared and alone. Families can be split up for a long time, or even forever. This can be very upsetting and hurtful, especially for young children. Many people believe this is unfair and too harsh, while others say it is needed to follow the law. No matter what, it’s clear that breaking up families like this causes a lot of pain and needs to be handled in a better way.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/16/us/doctors-undocumented-immigrants-children

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How pediatricians are quietly preparing immigrant families for the unthinkable: leaving their children behind | CNN

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On a warm June day in Nashville, Briana cradled her one-year-old son in the pediatrician’s waiting room. She was there for his routine checkup, expecting to talk about vaccines and growth charts.

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Title: Shadows of Absence

Description: This photograph shows a parent surrounded by bills and paperwork while a child sits nearby. It reflects the financial stress many families face and how economic challenges can overshadow family time. The image brings attention to the hidden emotional weight of financial insecurity on family life.

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For my photo, I added a collage of how my microsystem changed when my parents got divorced. Now I have a blended family with new siblings, I didn't get the family I imagined in my childhood. Although this outcome was healthier than before, many couples are experiencing divorce, it doesn't make the separation any easier on the children.

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Title: The Weight of Care

This photograph captures the exhaustion of a single mother balancing the needs of multiple children without access to reliable childcare. Her weary expression and her children’s concern reveal the emotional and practical strain of trying to manage things alone. It highlights the urgent need for affordable, accessible childcare systems to support single-parent families.

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A moment of unconditional love and joy, as it centers on a loving gay couple with their son on the night before Christmas. The casual yet celebratory home setting during the holiday, normalizes and validates the reality of a modern, multi-racial, and LGBTQ+ family structure. Thus, this scene serves as a powerful visual sign of progress in society's increasing recognition and embraces a beautiful change.

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This photo shows a young immigrant child in a courtroom, seated before a microphone with headphones that are almost too big for him. It reflects the difficult reality of children caught in immigration proceedings often too young to fully understand what’s happening, yet directly affected by the outcome. The image highlights how families, especially children, are deeply impacted by complex legal systems they cannot fully understand or control.

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Humanitarian ICE protests break out in Texas.

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The picture above highlights a subject that I am very passionate about – human rights. It shows how even a country like the United States – despite its wealth and power – can still find themselves dealing with what is essentially a private military force akin to the gestapo. The actions of this administration and of the ICE agency are infringing upon people's rights, as well as arbitrarily tearing families apart, thus continuing a cycle that includes absent parenting, abuse, poverty, dear and violence.

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I remember when people were able to afford to go out and have fun, but with drinks and food doubling in prices it is almost impossible. Nowadays, the normal person can barely afford a roof over their head. This is a picture of a receipt I took when me and my friends went out to eat. This shows just how bad inflation has gotten and the reason why so many people now are not able to afford homes, let alone basic necessities.

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The Burden of Parenthood Falls Unequally on Mothers

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The U.S. has the world’s highest rate of children living in single-parent households, with 80% of single parents being mothers. Birth rates continue to decline amid these challenging family dynamics. Despite this, government policy has focused more on restricting abortion than on providing support and resources for mothers raising the next generation.

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Tariq (Timmie) Turner's Documentary Photography

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Tariq (Timmie) Turner's Documentary Photography

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This image reflects the harmful side effects of two parents arguing who do not see or understand the detriment it is causing their daughter, who is hugging her stuffed animal tightly in discomfort. This kind of family dysfunction can cause many unforeseen developmental challenges for the children observing toxic conflict management, going on to cause even more general social issues, potential substance abuse, mental instability like depression and anxiety, and, in some extreme cases, isolation that can lead to child suicide. This kind of harmful dynamic is one of the leading causes of kids/youth learning bad habits/behaviors in their own personal relationships, and further causes interpersonal downfalls of younger parts of society, as they inhabit bad ways of coping with such issues in places where they should feel safe and have strong & healthy foundations.

Image Citation:

Positivity, P. of. (2023b, May 21). 7 ways to beat a toxic family dynamic with positivity. Power of Positivity: Positive Thinking & Attitude. https://www.powerofpositivity.com/toxic-family-dynamic-overcoming/

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Two boxes of beer on a vinyl wood floor beside mail regarding loans

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I took this photo in my grandfather's room and hope it successfully represents what is passed down from parent to (grand)child. As his grandson, I will inherit his debts and I have inherited his genes, likely including susceptibility to addiction. From a conflict theorist's perspective, this (my) family system is maintaining the status quo, as these habits have been passed from my grandfather's father, to himself, down to his children and possibly to me as well.

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Alyssa Douthit’s Documentary Photography 

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Alyssa Douthit’s Documentary Photography 

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This photo above shows the price of baby formula at an increased rate from previous years. The price of baby formula can be a stressful factor for some families, while nursing may be the other option, it may be a challenge for some mothers for many reasons. The size of this formula container can be used within four days for some babies, which will cause parents to purchase more than once a week.

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A child gazes out the window of a small, dimly lit home, their expression calm but thoughtful. The photo reflects the quiet resilience children show while living through financial instability. It highlights how poverty affects not just daily life, but a child’s sense of hope and security. This image serves as a reminder of the silent struggles many families face behind closed doors.

Image Citation: https://www.jesscheetham.com/what-is-documentary-family-photography

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Title: The Four Parenting Styles

In the image above, this shows the many different types of parenting, that shows in family social issues today. The four types of parenting are permissive, authoritarian,

neglectful, and authoritative. I chose this photo, because of many families are not agreeing to certain parenting styles that their family should live by.

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Parenting styles: Types, advantages and disadvantages

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As there are different faces and characters on the planet, so are many parents with their parenting styles. Whatever parenting style you choose determines how

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                                                         THE WEIGHT OF SEPARATION

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Eriberto Deleon Jr’s 
Documentary Photograph

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Eriberto Deleon Jr’s 
Documentary Photograph

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The father lifts his child into the air; their faces etched with longing and uncertainty.

This moment captures the silent and physical,

generational toll of mass incarceration, where cycles of absence and emotional loss often repeat.

The photograph reveals the quiet trauma families endure when prison walls interrupt the bond between parent and child.

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This photo shows the emotional impact of conflict on children. You can see how their daughter looks emotionally distraught, but they are continuing to fight. This teaches extremely unhealthy behavior and could lead to the child having emotional trauma/ long-term phychological effects.

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Above is a photograph of three small children lying on the bare cement, their skin caked with more dirt than their tattered clothes, a testament to a shared life of hardship. Their faces are turned downwards, hidden from view as they sleep, but the tension in their small bodies hints at the worries that plague their waking hours. The hard cement beneath them bakes in the sun, offering little comfort and highlighting the stark realities of their world.

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in this photo you can see people living in tents on the side of road. this happens all over the US not all homeless people are hooked on drugs or refuse to get jobs. public housing authorities don't fund enough, and shelters aren't always the safes places for women or small families. public housing like section 8 our failing us as to way most of us can't afford our rent, we end up in small, tiny apartments or force us on the strees.