Final answer:
Rigid family boundaries can lead to disengagement and a heightened sense of autonomy among family members. Such disengagement is seen in adolescents forming their identities and in the uninvolved parenting style. The disengagement theory also suggests that elderly naturally withdraw from society as they age.
Step-by-step explanation:
Boundaries that are too rigid within a family system can often lead to disengagement among family members and an enhanced sense of autonomy. When family members distance themselves emotionally and physically from family life, they may develop a stronger sense of independence and individuality. Adolescents, for instance, are often in the process of carving out their identities and may pull away from their parents to align more closely with their peer groups. Nonetheless, research indicates that positive and warm parent-child relationships correlate with beneficial outcomes like better grades and fewer behavioral problems in school. In contrast, the uninvolved style of parenting, characterized by indifference and neglect, can result in children feeling emotionally withdrawn and anxious, which can impact their school performance and increase the risk of substance abuse. For the elderly, disengagement theory suggests that withdrawing from society is a natural part of aging, although this theory has been met with criticism. The theory posits that as people get older and experience physical and mental decline, they may withdraw from society and social relationships, allowing them more freedom from social norms and to conserve energy for meaningful activities.