Regression Nation

There might be a deeper problem embedded in our nation's financial crisis, said Dr. Michael Kerr, Director of the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family, at a conference at Pacific Lutheran University, Feb. 12-13. The problem? Chronic anxiety that has led to regressive behavior.

I heard Dr. Kerr speak last week at the conference celebrating the 40th anniversary of Consulatation to Clergy in Region 1, a resource for ELCA and Missouri Synod clergy and congregations. Kerr is an expert in Bowen family systems theory that looks at how an individual functions within a system. It's very a helpful system for learning more about self and how we function in families and congregations. I've been through a Bowen family system theory workshop; I do not exaggerate when I say it has totally re-shaped how I relate to my family and congregation.

Anyway, Bowen theory has several concepts. One of them is regression: "If chronic anxiety escalates in a relationship system, the system becomes dominated by less thoughtful and more reactive ways of interacting that are older in an evolutionary sense than the advanced complex behaviors of a well-functioning relationship system."

In other words, when we get anxious, our brains shift into neutral and we react more emotionally, less rationally. Ever seen this in someone? How about yourself?

Regression isn't just for indivuduals, it happens to larger groups, like a whole nation. Kerr suggests the US is in a period of regression. He points to manifestations of emotoinally-driven regression: violence, we-they factions, polarizations, litigation, teen pregnancies, focus on rights, fundamentalism, quick-fix legislation, and terrorism. While statistics for these may vary on the month or year, these concerns have been part of our national reality for some time.

What causes a regression? Some suggest a period of abundance. Consider this example from the Galapagos Islands. During an El Nino deluge of rain one year, the islands produced an abundance of caterpillars which were eaten in abundance by ground finches. The finches behavior changed at this good fortune. Researchers said "the birds went crazy" and there was a "copulating frenzy." Females produced more eggs than they could care for, "teen" females were getting pregnant, males staked out poor territories but got females anyway, some females abandoned their eggs, and other manner of odd behavior.

Apparently, the birds couldn't handle the abunance. They failed to self-regulate.

Our country has been in a period of abundance. How did we handle it? Did we indeed fail to self-regulate?

Fear not, I'll not leave this post on such a downer. What's the cure for chronic anxiety? Well, perhaps it's not a cure but there is a way to mediate anxiety. Physician, know thyself! Seriously, it's time for a little introspection. Get quiet. Get thoughtful. Bowen theory suggests the way to deal with anxiety is to connect to the self, the deeper self and operate from that place.