The family structure is made up of individuals who live together in intimate groups for the purpose of caring for and supporting each other. Rules and boundaries, expressed and unexpressed, are developed by family members. Family rules and boundaries change and shift over time to evolve and grow as a family unit. Some changes are subtle, but some events force major changes within the family system. This article applies systems theory concepts to the family system in the film Sweet Home Alabama. Reese Witherspoon (Melanie Smooter) and Josh Lucas (Jake Perry) star in this heartwarming film that tells the story of a young woman who flees Alabama to reinvent herself in New York City as a high fashion designer. She leaves behind her redneck husband and a shabby upbringing. Melanie finds herself engaged to the city's most eligible bachelor and must return to Alabama to file for divorce from her first love and face her past ("Alabama," 2002). Boundaries Boundaries are drawn between family systems and everything external. Boundaries influence the movement of people into and out of the family system and regulate the flow of information to and from external sources. Boundaries within a family are what distinguish one family from another. Families have different boundaries, some more open than others, while in other family systems, its members have restrictions on where they can go and who can be brought into the family (“Systems Theory,” n.d.). Boundaries also control what information will be brought in and out of the family. Some families have strict boundaries and strict family rules. In the film Sweet Home Alabama, two families are referenced. The first family includes Melanie, her mother and her… middle of paper… avoiding her family, friends and husband has left her family system frustrated. When Melanie comes back asking for a divorce, not once, twice or three times, her husband continues to discourage her. The husband's action received positive feedback because the lack of response to Melanie's requests left her feeling out of control. All systems need a balance of both positive and negative feedback. Works Cited Becvar, D.S., & Becvar, R.J. (1999). Systems theory and family systems (2 ed.). Lanham, NY: University Press of America. Basic concepts of family systems theory. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://family.jrank.org/pages/597/Family-Systems-Theory-Basic-Concepts-Propositions.htmlNichols, M. P. (2010). Concepts and methods of family therapy (9 ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Sweet home Alabama. (2002). Retrieved from http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/sweet-home-alabama/