FAMILY NOTES RELATED TO SOCIOLOGY, MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY
Introduction: The family forms the basic unit of social organization and it is difficult to imagine how human society could function without it. The family has been seen as a universal social institution an inevitable part of human society. According to Burgess and Lock the family is a group of persons united by ties of marriage, blood or adoption constituting a single household interacting with each other in their respective social role of husband and wife, mother and father, brother and sister creating a common culture.
Definition ;According to Sociologists
Maclver defined family as "a group defined by sex
relationship sufficiently precise, and enduring to provide for the procreation
and upbringing of children.”
Eliot says" Family is the biological social unit composed of husband, wife and children."
Nimkoff says "Family is a more or less durable association of husband and wife with or without child, or of a man or woman alone, with children."
Eliot says" Family is the biological social unit composed of husband, wife and children."
Nimkoff says "Family is a more or less durable association of husband and wife with or without child, or of a man or woman alone, with children."
Robert Bierstedt ‘Family is
a more or less durable association of husband and wife, with or without child,
or of a man or woman alone, with children.’
– M. F. Nimkoff ‘Family is the
biological social unit composed of husband, wife and children.’
– Eliot and Merrill ‘Family is a
group of persons united by ties of marriage, blood or adoption constituting a
single household interacting and inter-communicating with each other in their
respective social roles of husband and wife, father and mother, son and
daughter, brother and sister, creating a common culture.’
– Burgess and Locke ‘Family is a
group of persons, whose relations to one another are based upon consanguinity
and who are therefore kin to one another.’
Characteristics of Family:
1. Family is a Universal group.
It is found in some form or the other, in all types of societies whether
primitive or modern.
2. A family is based on marriage,
which results in a mating relationship between two adults of opposite sex.
3. Every family provides an
individual with a name, and hence, it is a source of nomenclature.
4. Family is the group through
which descent or ancestry can be traced.
5. Family is the most important
group in any individual’s life.
6. Family is the most basic and
important group in primary socialization of an individual.
7. A family is generally limited
in size, even large, joint and extended families.
8. The family is the most
important group in society; it is the nucleus of all institutions,
organizations and groups.
9. Family is based on emotions
and sentiments. Mating, procreation, maternal and fraternal devotion, love and
affection are the basis of family ties.
10. The family is a unit of
emotional and economic cooperation.
11. Each member of family shares
duties and responsibilities.
12. Every family is made up of
husband and wife, and/or one or more children, both natural and adopted.
13. Each family is made up of
different social roles, like those of husband, wife, mother, father, children,
brothers or sisters.
Functions
of Family:
As a
social group and as an important social institution, family performs various
functions that are as follows:
1. Family is a unit through which
procreation takes place. Marriage sanctions sexual relationships, and it also
establishes a family, which is further reinforced with the birth of children.
2. The process of reproduction is
institutionalized, regulated and controlled in a family. The family legitimizes
the act of reproduction.
3. Family helps in propagation of
human species and perpetuation of human race.
4. Family provides an individual
with an identity.
5. It is through the family that
every family name is carried on from one generation to another.
6. Family is responsible for the
production and upbringing of children.
7. Family is an important agent
of socialization. The primary socialization of any individual takes place
within the family. The immediate family members teach all the basic rules and
norms of social life to a child.
8. Family is also an important
agent of cultural transmission. Culture is transmitted from one generation to
another through family. All the aspects of culture are learnt within the family
structure.
9. Family is a great source of
strength, emotional and psychological, for its members. All the members are
aware that they can depend upon their family in the times of need.
10. Family provides an individual
with a home, and establishes enduring social relationships.
11. The family is the basis of
division of labour, where all members have their duties and obligations towards
each other.
12. A family fulfills the
economic needs of its members. This function has undergone transformation, with
families moving from being production and consumption units in earlier times,
to becoming more of consuming units rather than a producing one. Now-a-days,
members of a family no longer produce things themselves; rather, they go out
and work for some monetary remuneration or wages.
13. Family is traditionally
responsible for the education of the children.
14. Family also has a
recreational function. Earlier, most recreation was family- based. Family
gatherings during festivals, functions, family reunions, marriages, brought
entire families together. Now-a-days, taking family members out on holidays or
for movies, plays, dinners, or parties, etc., perform the same function
Description
of the above classification of types or forms of family is explained here:
1. Based on Birth:
Family
of Orientation:
The family in which an individual
is born is his family of orientation.
Family
of Procreation:
The family where an individual
sets up after his/her marriage is his/her family of procreation.
The family of orientation and
procreation may live together under the same roof, but can still be
distinguished.
2. Based on Marriage:
Monogamous
Family:
This family consists of one
husband and wife, including children and is based on monogamous marriages.
Polygynous
Family:
A family consisting of one
husband, and more than one wife, and all the children born to all the wives or
adopted by each of them. This type of family has its basis in the polygynous
form of marriage.
Polyandrous
Family:
A family made up of one wife and
more than one husband, and the children, either born or adopted with each one
of them. This family is based on polyandrous marriage.
3. Based on Residence:
Family
of Matrilocal Residence:
When a couple stays in the wife’s
house, the family is known as family of matrilocal residence.
Family
of Patrilocal Residence:
When a family stays in the house
of husband, the family is known as family of patrilocal residence.
Family
of Changing Residence:
When a family stays in the
husband’s house for some time, and moves to wife’s house, stays there for a
period of time, and then moves back to husband’s parents, or starts living in
another place, the family is called a family of changing residence.
4. Based on Ancestry or Descent:
Matrilineal
Family:
When ancestry or descent is
traced through the female line, or through the mother’s side, the family is
called matrilineal family.
Patrilineal
Family:
A family in which the authority
is carried down the male line, and descent is traced through the male line or
the father’s side, is called a patrilineal family.
5. Based on Authority:
Matriarchal
Family:
Matriarchal families are
generally found in matrilineal societies. In these families, a woman is the
head of the family, and authority is vested in her. Succession of property is
through the female line, i.e., only daughters inherit the property.
After marriage, the husband
resides in the wife’s house and descent is traced through the mother’s side.
Here, children are brought up in mother’s house. Thus, in matriarchal
societies, the matrilocal system exists. Matriarchal families are found only in
matrilineal societies, which are very limited in number all over the world.
They are found in parts of Latin America, Ceylon, parts of Africa and India
(the Khasis and the Garos).
Patriarchal
Family:
Patriarchal families are commonly
found in all parts of the world, since most societies in the world are
patrilineal societies. In patriarchal families, the head of the family is a
male, and authority is vested in him. Descent and property is passed through
the male line and children are brought up in father’s house. Such families are
patrilocal in nature.
6. Based on the Nature of Relations:
Conjugal
Family:
The conjugal family is made up of
adults among whom there is a sexual relationship. It refers to a family system
of spouses and their dependent children. The emphasis is placed on the marital
relationship that exists between spouses. In modern times, the term ‘conjugal
family’ is being used for partners, who have a long- term sexual relationship,
but are not actually married.
Consanguine
Family:
A consanguine family is made up
of members among whom a blood relation exists, or those who are consanguineal
kin, i.e., a family consisting of parent(s) and children, or siblings
(brothers, sisters, or brothers and sisters).
7. Based on state or structure:
Nuclear
Family:
A nuclear family is a small group
consisting of a husband, a wife and children, natural or adopted. It is more or
less an autonomous unit that is not under the control of adults or elders of
the family. It consists of two generations only. In all modern societies,
nuclear family is the most common type of family. In fact, nuclear family is
both the consequence as well as the cause of the disintegration of joint
family.
Joint
Family:
A joint family consists of three
generation, living together under the same roof, sharing the same kitchen and
purse or economic expenses. It is a family consisting of three nuclear families
living together. According to Iravati Karve, a joint family is ‘a group of
people, who generally live under the same roof, who eat food cooked at one
hearth, who hold property in common, and who participate in common family
worship and are related to each other as some particular type of kindered.’
In above Figure, Ego (the shaded
figure) is a part of a joint family consisting of four generations—the
children, parents, grandparents and great-grandparents, all from the fathers
side. These types of joint families are also known as patriarchal (father-
centred) or patrilineal (lineage traced through the father s or male side) joint
families.
In such families, only unmarried
daughters, or at times widowed daughters are a part of the family. Married
daughters no longer belong to the family as they become a part of their
husbands family. However, in the case of matriarchal joint families
(mother-centered) or matrilineal (lineage or descent traced through the mothers
side or the female side), daughters are a part of the joint family, whereas
sons become a part of their wives’ families.
Main characteristics of family
Universality:
Emotional basis:
Limited size:
Formative
influence:
Nuclear position in the social structure:
Responsibility of the members:
Social regulation:
Functions of Family:
A.
Essential Functions
B.
Non-essential Functions
Essential Functions:-
1.
Satisfaction of sex need: This is the first essential function which the family
performs. Manu, the Ancient Indian Law-giver, regarded sexual satisfaction as
the aim of family. Vatsyayan also looked upon sexual satisfaction as the
primary objective of the family. Satisfaction of sex instinct brings the desire
for life-long partnership among male and female. The satisfaction of sex
instinct makes for normal personality. If sex instinct is
suppressed, it may produce personality maladjustments and disrupt social
relations. According to Havelock “With failure of sexual harmony, the marriage
structure rests on shifting sand.” The modern family satisfies this instinct in
greater degree than the traditional family.
In the
old family the sexual act was combined with reproduction and the fear of
pregnancy as a result of intercourse prevented the couple to satisfy their sex
urge. But in modern family the task of sexual satisfaction has been eased by
the invention of contraceptives and other methods of birth control. The present
wife is in a better position to satisfy sex instinct without any fear of
conception.
It may
be referred that while premarital or extramarital mating is permitted or
tolerated in some societies, however, every society places some restrictions on
such mating; though these restrictions may vary from culture to culture. No
society is entirely promiscuous. It may also be noted that premarital mating is
not uncommon in a society which by law as well as custom prohibits all sexual
relations except those between husband and wife.
Many societies regard the idea of virgin marriage as
absurd. In such societies, premarital sex experience is viewed as a preparation
for marriage, not as a recreational pastime. Its purpose is generally to
determine fertility. Most of these societies have not merely allowed premarital
sexual behaviour; they have institutionalized it.
Production and rearing of
children: The Hindu scriptures hold that the religious activities of man cannot
be consummated unless he has a son. They permit a second marriage if there is
no issue from the first wife.
In the
Hindu marriage the groom says to his bride that I accept you in order to obtain
good progeny. Though child birth can occur outside the family, but nowhere is
illegitimacy approved. Family is an institution par excellence for the
production and rearing of children. Some countries, especially Soviet Russia
after the Revolution practiced experiments in communal child rearing but they
soon abandoned it.
The
function of child rearing is better performed today than in the past because
now more skill and knowledge are devoted to the care of the unborn and newborn
child. The infant death rate has shown a marked decline. In the achievement of
this result specialized agencies like nursing, child welfare centers have come
to the aid of the family.
Looking
at the data collected in the west it is seen that the number of illegitimate
children is falling down, the practice of prostitution is vanishing away and
the number of marriages is increasing which clearly shows that the function of
procreation of race is only performed through family.
It is
claimed that with the practice of birth control methods the function of child
procreation is now being given up by modern families. A time may come when the
very existence of society might be threatened. But this fear is vain because
mankind soon learns to adapt itself to changing necessities.
(iii) Provision of a
home:
Whatever
else he needs, man needs intimate human response. The psychologists hold that
probably the greatest single cause of emotional difficulties, behaviour
problems is lack of love, that is, lack of a warm, affectionate relationship
within a small circle of intimate associates. The family satisfies the need for
affection by human beings. Most societies rely almost entirely upon the family
for affectionate response.
Man
after the hard toil of the day returns home where in the midst of his wife and
children he sheds off his fatigue. Though in modern times there are hotels and
clubs which also provide recreation to man but the joy that a man feels within
the congenial circle of woman, parents and children stands far above the
momentary pleasure which is provided by club and hotel. Inspite of these other
agencies the home is still the heaven and sanctuary where its members find
comfort and affection.
Non-essential Functions:
Economic:
The
non-essential functions of a family are various and varied. Firstly, it serves
as an economic unit. In the traditional family most of the goods for
consumption were made at home. The members of the family were all engaged in
the family industry. The ancient Hindu joint family served as a type of mutual
insurance society.
Religious:
The
second non-essential function which the family performs is of a religious
character. It is centre for the religious training of the children who learn
from their parents various religious virtues. In the old family different
religious practices like idol worship, yagya, religious discourses and sermons
by pandits were carried on which made the outlook of the children religious. In
the Hindu scriptures religious rituals are considered incomplete in the absence
of wife. The modern family, however, does not observe religious practices and
has become secular in outlook. Family prayers are obsolete.
Educational:
Another
function performed in the family is the education of children. The family is an
important educational agency. The child learns the first letters under the
guidance of parents, though, today, he learns them in a kindergarten. The
traditional family was the centre of vocational education because the children
from the early childhood were associated with the family task. The modern
family has delegated the task of vocational education to technical institutes
and colleges.
Health:
Similarly
the functions relating to health which were performed in the old family have
now been transferred to hospitals and clinics. Formerly a sick man was cared
for in the family, by his own kith and kin today he is admitted to a hospital
and looked after by nurses. The child is born today not in the comforting
fragrance of a home but in the maternity wards of a well equipped but loveless
hospital. Instead of ‘The house where I was born’ the phrase ‘The hospital
where I was born’ is more relevant to modern conditions.
Recreation:
The
old family provided recreation to its members. They used to sing and dance
together and visit the family relations. In modern family relation is
individual rather than collective. The present forms of recreation such as
bridge, tennis, carom, and movies, provide for only individual or couple
participation. Moreover, recreation is now had in club or hotel rather than in
home.
Civic:
Family
is the school of civic virtues. The child learns the first lessons of
citizenship in the family. The virtues of love, cooperation, toleration,
sacrifice, obedience and discipline are first learnt by the child in the
family. These qualities enable him to grow into a good citizen. That is why
family has been called the cradle of civic virtues.
Social:
Family
imparts the knowledge of social customs, mores etc. to the coming generation.
It exercises social control over its members which helps in the maintenance of
a well organised society. Family is an important agency of social control. It
is also the custodian of culture and serves as “the natural and convenient
channel of social continuity.
(i) Procreation, (ii)
Socio-economic security to family members, (iii) Determination of status of
family members, (iv) Socialization and emotional support and (v) Social
control. K.Davis enumerated four functions of family i.e. (i) Reproduction,
(ii) Maintenance, (iii) placement, and (iv) socialization. Ogburn and Nimkoft
have divided the functions of family in six types. They are (i) Affection, (ii)
Economic, (iii) Recreational, (iv) protective, (v) Religious and (vi)
Educational.
MacIver and page have classified the functions of family into
broad category i.e. Essential and Non-essential. Under essential they include
three functions (I) stable satisfaction of sex need, (ii) production and
rearing of children and (iii) provision of a home. Under the non-essential
functions, they mention religious, educational, economic, health and
recreation.
First,
the family is the primary unit for socializing
children. As previous chapters indicated, no society is possible
without adequate socialization of its young. In most societies, the family is
the major unit in which socialization happens. Parents, siblings, and, if the
family is extended rather than nuclear, other relatives all help socialize children
from the time they are born.
Second, the family is ideally a
major source of practical and emotional support for its members. It
provides them food, clothing, shelter, and other essentials, and it also
provides them love, comfort, help in times of emotional distress, and other
types of intangible support that we all need.
Third,
the family helps regulate sexual activity and
sexual reproduction. All
societies have norms governing with whom and how often a person should have
sex. The family is the major unit for teaching these norms and the major unit
through which sexual reproduction occurs. One reason for this is to ensure that
infants have adequate emotional and practical care when they are born. The incest
taboo that
most societies have, which prohibits sex between certain relatives, helps
minimize conflict within the family if sex occurred among its members and to
establish social ties among different families and thus among society as a
whole.
Fourth,
the family provides its members with a social identity. Children are born into their
parents’ social class, race and ethnicity, religion, and so forth. As we have
seen in earlier chapters, social identity is important for our life chances.
Some children have advantages throughout life because of the social identity
they acquire from their parents, while others face many obstacles because the
social class or race/ethnicity into which they are born is at the bottom of the
social hierarchy.
Beyond
discussing the family’s functions, the functional perspective on the family
maintains that sudden or far-reaching changes in conventional family structure
and processes threaten the family’s stability and thus that of society. For
example, most sociology and marriage-and-family textbooks during the 1950s
maintained that the male breadwinner–female homemaker nuclear family was the
best arrangement for children, as it provided for a family’s economic and
child-rearing needs. Any shift in this arrangement, they warned, would harm
children and by extension the family as a social institution and even society
itself. Textbooks no longer contain this warning, but many conservative
observers continue to worry about the impact on children of working mothers and
one-parent families. We return to their concerns shortly.
From – Sandeep Tiwari
Mobile - 8827505064
Email -freelancejabalpur@gmail.com
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