When the biological line does not coincide with the social line, the genogram's special symbols come into play — along with questions that are not a matter of drawing technique, but of ethics.
Adoption
Adopted children are connected to their adoptive parents with a dashed line. If known, the biological parents are also drawn in — with a solid line to the child. This way, the genogram shows both family systems at once, without privileging either one.
When the biological parents are unknown, empty symbols labeled "unknown" are used. Omitting the biological line entirely is methodologically questionable: not knowing is itself a systemic factor.
Foster Care and Stepchildren
Foster and stepchild constellations are handled similarly, but with differences:
- Foster child: dashed line to foster parents, solid line to biological parents. Length of stay is often noted as a label.
- Stepchild: solid line to the biological parent, dashed line to the stepparent.
- Co-parenting: more complex — as a practical extension beyond the McGoldrick standard, multiple solid lines can be drawn when both biological parents are actively involved.
Blended-family constellations usually need more space on the canvas than beginners expect. Planning generously is not a luxury.
The Delicate Question
What belongs in the genogram? The answer is not a matter of drawing technique, but of ethics. When parentage is known but kept secret by the client, the rule is: document nothing without consent. When parentage is unknown, the rule is: mark the not-knowing honestly, rather than speculating.
Special caution is required with children and adolescents: opening up a question of parentage does not belong in a genogram session, but in a carefully prepared disclosure process. The genogram depicts what is known — it is not the place where secrets should be spoken for the first time.