Family Horton & Hunt: “family is a kinship grouping which provides for the rearing of children and for certain after bond needs.”
In the primitive society, family was a source of authority. Council of elders in the primitive times exercised great influence within the family and the society.
Structure of the family
The following relationships exist in a simple family when there are children with parents:
1. Husband & Wife 2. Father & son
3. Father & Daughter 4. Mother & Son
5. Mother & Daughter 6. Brother & brother
7. Sister & sister 8. Brother & sister
These bonds of relationship create structure of the family. These members compose a family.
Types of family
Nuclear conjugal Family: This family consists of married couple and their unmarred children living together. Husband & wife make core in this family. Radcliff Brown called it elementary family.
Consanguine Family: this family is founded upon blood relationship of a large number of kins relationships. This family is extended to blood relations together with their mates & children. It is the main bar is of kinship In Pakistani society unmarried brother and sister live together with parents. It means uncle and aunt also live together within the nuclear family. Practically it is found today in Pakistani society where father is strongly dominant.
Extended Family: It consists of three generations. Grandfather, father and son living within the family are a typical extended family. The three kinds are:
a. Extended Family: Husband & wife and their either of the married children living together.
b. Patrilineal Extended Family: parents + their sons + son’s wives and their children living together.
c. Matrilineal extended family: Parents + their daughters + daughter’s husband + their children living together.
Functions of Family as an institutions
Following are the functions of family institution.
Socialization: The child learns socialization from the parents. The realizations of ‘self’ among children also takes place through their interaction in the family.
Care for old dependents: Is also one of the man duties of family both in normal & abnormal circumstances.
An outlet for sex: It regulates the sexual behaviours on standardized patterns for the married adults.
Selection of Mates: is also done by family. The ultimate aim of this is to provide happy life to each family member. Divorces in most of cases are decided by the family.
To inculcate love & Affection among Family Members: is one of the most distinguished functions of family.
Reproduction by choice of mates’ reproduction takes place.
Economic Unit: The family is responsible for the preparation of budget and its implementation. The members of family get food; shelter, clothing etc. through this unit.
Rules of Descendants and Right of property: Family institution determines line of descendents and the right of property among the members of family. These norms are given a legal shape.
Education: Formal and informal, religious or secular education of children is in face the responsibility of the family.
Political: During election, members of the family are united for a single candidate under the leadership of their family head.
Recreation: The arrangements of recreational and amusement activities are also function of the family.
Social Control: Family enhances social control.
Religion: Family teachers the members about right and wrong ideas for family, community, country and humanity. It helps in character making.
Health coverage to children: It is also the duty of family institution to look after health of every member of the family.
Social Status: Social status and legitimacy of status is determined by family.
