Topic “Family” is one of the most important topics of Sociology in UPSC and States PSC Exams. We have compiled the basics of the topic in brief. Show Word “Family” comes from the Latin word “Famulas” which means a servant. Family Definition in SociologyM. F. Nimkoff- Family is a more or less durable association of husband and wife with or without a child; or of a man and woman alone, with children. MacIver- Family is a group defined by sex relationship sufficiently precise and enduring to provide for the procreation and upbringing of children. General characteristics of family in sociology
Distinctive Features of Family
Functions of FamilyAccording to MAcIver, there are two types of functions a family performs-
Primary (Essential) Functions
Secondary (Non-essential) Functions
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1 Family Definition The Family is a small group consisting ordinarily of father, mother, one or more children and sometimes near or distant relatives. The word ‘family’ has been taken over from Latin word ‘Famulus’, which means servant. Originally family consists of a man, woman with a child or children and servants. 2 M.F Nimkoff says that “Family is a more or less durable association of husband and wife with or without child, or a man or woman alone, with children.” Eliot and Merrill: Family is “The biological social unit composed of husband, wife and children.” MacIver: Family is a group defined by sex relationship sufficiently precise and enduring to provide for the procreation and upbringing of children. Francis. T. Brown: The basic unit of social structure in every society is the family. 3 Theories regarding origin or evolution of family 4 What are the different types of family found in the world? 5 (a) Matriarchal Families: 6 On the basis of size (a) Nuclear Family: It is also called primary family. It refers to such families in which a husband, his wife and their children stay together. (b) Joint Family: It is also called extended family. Husband, wife, their children and husband's relatives stay together. Thus it is an association or group of two or more nuclear families. 7 On the basis of community 8 On the basis of orientation and procreation 9 On the basis of relationships 10 On the basis of religion: 11 On the basis of culture In this respect, there are two types of culture, i.e., Western culture and Eastern culture and on this basis the families also can be classified. (a) Families with Western Culture: The Western culture gives equal status to men and women. The work, the responsibilities and the rights are equally shared between husband and wife. The families have nuclear set-up in most cases. (b) Families with Eastern Culture: Mostly joint or extended families are found in this culture. Rural families are common. Parents in old age are looked after by the family. They are closely bound to their culture and traditions. 12 Functions of a family (1) Stable Satisfaction of Sex need: This is the Primary and essential function of family. Sex instinct is the natural urge of human being. The satisfaction of this need requires that both male and female should live together as life partners. It is the family where the husband and wife can satisfy their sex instincts easily and comfortably. Without family the satisfaction of sex need is almost socially quite impossible. A family not only satisfies but also provides the appropriate mechanism through marriage to regulate sexual behavior of husband and wife. 13 (2) Reproduction or procreation: 14 (3) Protection and care of the young: 15 (4) Socializing Functions: 16 (5) Provision of a home: Family makes a provision of a home or a common habitation for its members. Here both husband and if live together for procreation, protection and care of the children. It is a place of multifarious activities. All the members of the family depend on home for comfort, protection and peace. It is that institution which provides the mental or the emotional satisfaction. Members of the family exchange their love, sympathy and affection among themselves 17 NUCLEAR FAMILY Definition 18 After their marriage, the children leave their parental home and establish their separate household. 19 Recent trend in the modern nuclear family 20 (1)Industrialisation: 21 (3)Democratic Ideals: Democracy assures equality and provides liberty to all, to women too. Women now play not only domestic roles but also economic and political roles. (4)The decline of the influence of mores and the religious beliefs, and the spread of secular attitude: The religious function of the family have diminished. 22 (5)The spirit of individualism and romantic love: 23 (8)Decline in birth rate: 24 Functions of modern nuclear family 25 (3) Socialisation of children: 26 The Joint Family Definition 27 The joint family is one which consists of members related through blood and spread over several generations living together under a common roof and work under a common head. 28 Characteristics of Joint Family 29 4.Common worship: Members of the family take part in common worship, rites and ceremonies. 5.Common property: The head of the family manages the family property like a trustee. 6.Exercise of authority: Eldest male member commands others. 30 7.Arranged marriages: 8.Procreation: 9.Indentification with obligations towards the family: Every members has his own duties and obligations towards the family. The senior most member of the family acts as the guide for other members. 10. Self sufficiency: It used to meet the economic, recreational, medical, educational and other needs of the member. 31 Merits of Joint Family 1.Stable and durable 2.Ensure economic progress 32 3.Ensure economy of expenditure 33 6.Provide social security 34 8. Provides recreation also 35 10. Provides psychological security 36 Demerits of Joint Family 37 2.Damage individual initiative and enterprise 38 4. Promotes idleness The joint family is said to be home of idlers and drones. 5. Not favourable for savings and investment There is no inspiration for the accumulation of capital and investment. 6. The centre of quarrels The joint family is said to be hotbed of quarrels and bickering especially among the womenfolk. 39 7. Denies privacy Since the joint family is always overcrowded, privacy is denied to the newly wedded couple. They rarely get opportunities to talk about their personal matters. Hence they fail to develop intimacy. 8. Affects Socialisation of children Due to the lack of intimacy and privacy between the husband and wife, the socialisation of children is affectedvery badly. 40 9. Undermines the status of women 41 12. Limits social mobility 42 THANK YOU ALL |