The family as a social institution: definitions, functions, and diversity

Family Ecology

The family is considered the basic unit of the society. It is where a person acquires his/her basic characteristics and habits. They say that the personality of an individual is very much affected by the family background. Since ancient times, the family has been an important organization in the society. The family, among the oldest and most fundamental of human institutions, consists of a man and a woman, who are generally expected to produce children, care for them, and help train them in the ways of their culture. This simple family, known as the conjugal, elementary, or nuclear family, is present in virtually all known societies (Lexicon Universal Encyclopedia, 1994). The precise definition of "family" is difficult to attain. Once classical definition is that a family "is a social group characterized by common residence, economic cooperation and reproduction; it includes adults of both sexes, at least two of whom maintain a socially approved sexual relationship, and one or more children, owned or adopted, of the sexually cohabiting adults" (Murdock, 1949). However, this definition is restricted to some degree since it does not include the diverse ways families are constituted today such as single parenthood, cohabiting arrangements, domestic partnerships of homosexuals, families constituted by second marriages, also known as stepfamilies or blended families, and married couples without children either because of decision to delay or the option not to have any.

Since family members need not be bound my legal marriage or by blood or adoption (Lamanna and Riedman, 1994), a new definition erupted. The family consists of "two or more persons who share resources, share responsibility for decisions, share values and goals and have a commitment to each other over time. The functions attributed to families are economic consumption, socialization of the young and affective dimensions" (Davidson and Moore, 1992). This definition can include a variety of family forms, with emphasis on sharing, commitment and affection without any mention of sexual relations.

In sociological terms, the family is unique among social institutions. Institution is an established pattern of norms and values that organizes social life to fulfill social functions (Broom et.al., 1990). The family is the first to provide life-giving support, to bind the individual to a social group, and to socialize the person for participation outside the primary group. It is the setting for growing up, marriage, child rearing and the individual's most intense attachments and conflicts.

Functions of the Family

The family stands at the center of the social life, linking the individual to school, church, the economy, and the nation. It conveys basic norms and values. Therefore, the family was coined as the major building block of the society. Because the family stands at the center of social life, innovations and social change that alter families arouse strong reactions. Many people fear that the family will be unable to adapt to change and that traditional values will break down in the face of the challenges for which the family is not prepared.

Though the family has its own internal structure, it still exists within a network of relationships with other subsystems and with society as a whole. Families are interdependent on their neighborhood, social environment and physical environment. The changes and developments of a family are influenced by the changes in the community it resides in and its environment. The changes occurring in the family and the changes occurring in the outside environment has major impacts to each other. Therefore, the interaction of the family to the surroundings is a very important factor in continuity of the family.

From the point-of-views of the society, the family is significant for its perpetuation and continuity. It contributes to societal maintenance through its reproduction function. In short, the family is responsible for the replacement of society's members. It is also the task of the family to train and prepare individuals for occupational pursuits to become functioning adults in the community. It keeps society's members physically and psychologically fit to participate actively in its affairs. It transmits society's culture through the socialization process, developing in the individual emotions, and inculcating in him values necessary for societal functioning.

While the family plays a vital part for the larger society, institutional activities of society and other subsystems in turn have implications for the family. The economic system determines the family's level of living and affects its income and spending patterns. The religious system, or the church have some bearing on the family members' philosophy of life, family planning methods, non-marital as well as marital sexuality, male and female roles, husband/wife and parent/child relations and so on. The legal system, or polity defines the rights and obligations of parents and children and affects marriage patterns, including the number of spouses, the age at when a person can marry, the acceptance and non-acceptance of common law and same sex marriages, what relationships are considered incestuous, etc. The political system affects both the structure and functions of the family through its laws, for instance, on legitimacy, custody of the children, divorce and separation. The educational system, or the school, plays an important part in the child's socialization and training as well as the family member's level of knowledge and skills for triumphant involvement in the community.

There is an interchange between the family and these subsystems; economy, polity, community and value system. The family acts as a unit, or the individual acts as a representative of his family, contributes goods or behavior responses to the external system and in turn receives from it. The family contributes labor to the economy in exchange for wages; and family assets for goods. The family supplies loyalty and compliance for leadership and decisions made by the polity. The family participates in community activities in exchange for support and identity provided by the community. The family conforms to the norms and standards of morality specified by the value system in exchange for approval. Since the family is intricately attached to society, any change in society will have repercussions on the functioning of the family.

Biological Maintenance

Another main function of the family is to provide food, clothing, and other basic needs for its members. The function of biological safeguarding is critical to society because it necessitates the continued existence of its members. Furthermore, the family should also keep its members biologically fit to participate and engage in societal activities.

How the family performs in its maintenance function depends primarily on its income. The rich has the luxuries and has beyond what is needed to suffice their sustenance, the poor could hardly survive. The community wherein the family resides has a big role in this function. If the family is residing in a crowded and highly urbanized area, and the family members are less educated and capable to compete with the professionals, they would become poorer. but, if proper education is attained and there is less competition, it is easier to get a good job and supply the needs of the family members.

Income of the family varies according to the whole economic structure of the country and to the educational attainment of the family head and employed members. It also varies with urban or rural residence. Urban households commonly earn more and enjoy a higher standard of living than rural households. The allocation for food spending corresponds to the biggest part of the family budget. However, as family income increases, the share in food in consumption expenses generally drops. This is most likely because of the popularity of "fast foods" nowadays.

Socialization Process

The process of socialization takes a lifetime whereby the individual acquires the established beliefs, values, sentiments, norms and behavior of his group and society. It is through socialization that the individual becomes a functioning member of his group. It is also through this process that values, customs and beliefs are passed on from one generation to the other.

Because of the significance of early experiences and primary relationships, the family remains to be the most important socializing agent in the child's life (Davidson and Moore, 1992). It is the chide agent of socialization because it is the unit primarily in-charge of nurturing the child during the early formative years.

The family therefore has a long-lasting influence on the development of a child's personality and character. The parents and other adult members of the family inculcate in the child the certain norms and values they want the child to retain until his maturity. They influence the child by doing things, serving as examples for the child. Thus the family acts as a social laboratory where the individual prepares for life in his society. Experiences at home set the direction of his behavior in the future.

Status Position

Societies have some type of stratification system where members are classed or ranked such that some have more kudos and power than others. The family serves as an agent of stratification because it conveys at least initially its status to the individual. Upon birth, the child acquires his family name and a place in the society. The standing of his family determines his position in the hierarchy. Socialization also helps maintain class placement. Still, the family and kin group would still play the biggest part in helping members maintain or improve their status.

Welfare and Protection

The family desires to protect its members' interest and welfare. It provides for the necessary protection measures of its members. The family also provides not only physical but also psychological protection and support. Kin solidarity and close relationships last over time and distance. This is evidenced by the fact that responsibility and obligation is continued despite separation of family members.

Other Institutions

The family also serves a purpose for the other institutions. It has economic functions important in production, distribution and consumption. It is also a catalyst for political stability. When family members agree on something, the support of its family members is assured. It is also important in religion and education.

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