From – Sandeep Tiwari

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FAMILY

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."

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.