FUNCTIONS OF FAMILY

The reasons for the endurance and universality of the family are largely grounded in the functions it performs for individuals and society. The family is the most universal and fundamental social institution that performs various functions in human society. Different sociologists have viewed or classified the functions of a family into different types. But famous Sociologist Maclver classified the functions of the family into two broad categories such as –

  1. ESSENTIAL OR PRIMARY FUNCTIONS OF FAMILY

Under essential functions, he includes mainly three functions such as:-

  1. Stable satisfaction of Sexual needs: 

This is the most important essential function of the family. The family has been performing this function since the inception of human civilization. It is a well-known fact that sex is the most important and powerful instinct and natural urge of human beings. It is the primary duty of the family to satisfy the sexual urge of its members stably and desirably. Ancient Hindu philosophers Manu and Vatsayan opine that satisfying sex needs is the primary objective of family. If it is suppressed, it creates personality maladjustments.

  1. Procreation and Rearing of Children: 

It is another important sectional function of the family. A necessary arrangement of stable satisfaction of sexual urge resulted in procreation. Family provides the legitimate basis for the production of children. It institutionalizes the process of procreation. By performing this function of procreation, the family contributes to the continuity of family and, ultimately, the human race. Hence, the perpetuation of the human race or society is the family's most important function. Not only is the production of children but also child-rearing another important function of the family. Family is the only place where the function of child-rearing is better performed.

  1. Provision of Home: 

Family performs another important function of providing a home for common living to all its members. It is only in a home that children are born and brought up. Even if children are born in hospitals in modern times still, they are taken care of and properly nourished in a home only. Because family and a home have no substitute. In home all the family members live together, and a child is brought up under the strict vigilance of all its members.

  1. Socialization: 

Family plays an important role in the socialization process. Man is not born human but made human. The newborn human baby becomes a human being after they are socialized. It is one of the primary agents of socialization. A child in a human family learns society's norms, values, morals, and ideals. He learns the culture and acquires character through the process of socialization. His personality develops in the course of his living in the family. From family, he learns what is right and wrong and what is good or bad. Through socialization, he became a social man and acquired good character.

  1. NON-ESSENTIAL OR SECONDARY FUNCTIONS OF FAMILY

Under non-essential or secondary functions are as follows:

  1. Economic functions: 

Since ancient times family has been performing several economic functions. It is an important economic unit. In ancient times family was both a production and consumption unit. It used to fulfill almost all the economic needs of its members, such as food, clothing, housing, etc. But now a day’s, almost all the economic functions of the family are performed by other agencies, and the family only remains as a consumption unit. It does not produce anything. All the members of the family now working outside the home.

  1. Educational functions: 

A family performs many educational functions for its members. As a primary educational institution, families used to teach letters, knowledge, skill, and trade secrets. Mother act as the first and best teacher of a child. But at present many of the educational functions of the family are taken over by schools, colleges, and universities. Sill family continues to play an important role in providing its members the first lessons and primary education.

  1. Religious functions: 

Family is the centre of all religious activities. All the family members offer their prayers together and observe different religious rites, rituals, and practices jointly at home. Children learn different religious values from their parents. Family transmits religious beliefs and practices from one generation to another. But at present, the family has become more secular in their outlook. Still, the family plays an important role in shaping the religious attitude of its members.

  1. Health-related functions: 

Family as a primary social group performs several health-related functions for its members. It looks after the health and vigor of its members. It takes care of the sick old and aged persons of the family. By providing necessary nutritive food to its members family takes care of the health of all. Modern family delegates some of its health-related functions to hospitals. The child is born today in a hospital or clinic and cared for by nurses.

  1. Recreational function: 

The family performs several recreational functions for its members by entertaining them in various ways. In the ancient period family was the only centre of recreation. All the members organize family feasts, visit the family relations, organize family picnics, etc.  Family organizes different festivals, which is another source of recreation. The relationship between grandparents and grandchildren is another source of entertainment. Modern club replaces many recreational functions of the family. But at the same time, it is said that the present family acts as a modern club without its evil effects.

  1. Cultural functions: 

The family also performs several cultural functions as well. It preserves different cultural traits. Man learns and acquires culture from family and transmits it to succeeding generations. That is why family is considered as centre of culture.

  1. Social functions: 

Family performs several social functions. It teaches the coming generations about social customs, mores, traditions, norms, and etiquette. Family exercises social control over its members and brings them into conformity with accepted standards. Senior members of the family directly control the behavior of children, and thereby, they become a good citizen.

Family functions are changing with time, but even now, the family persists as the most fundamental social unit. People in a complex, competitive world are always searching for a cordial and safe corner and are still interested in making a family consisting of parents, children, and siblings.

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