The outcome of the socialization process within the family is critically important for the larger society, which is based on regulation and the shared willingness of citizens to conform to social norms. In this respect the family is a miniature social system, with parents as the chief promoters and enforcers of social order. Socialization is perhaps the most important function because it teaches the rules and expectations for behavior both within the family as well as in the society outside. Children born outside a conjugal family are often stigmatized. ![]() Procreation within a family garners social approval for parenthood, and delineates legitimate progeny. 1998).įamilies are the most widely approved context for bearing and rearing children. These attitudes and values influence family reactions and cultural prescriptions to such practices as premarital and extramarital relationships (Widmer et al. The regulation of sexual behavior is concerned with more than coitus, and covers such behaviors as hugging, kissing, and touching, as well as attitudes and values. For example, there are taboos against incest and at certain times against intercourse, such as during menstruation or pregnancy. Families teach and reiterate that certain persons and conditions are more apt for sexual intimacy and affection than others. Typically, marriage or some variant is socially approved as the appropriate outlet for sexual behavior. In short, family is considered the supporter of coupling, the source of nurturance and the elemental education of children, the link to the market place, the place of remediation that takes the wayward back, and the hospice where infirm and dependent members seek solace.įamily functions are accomplished in a number of different ways. Families further impart affection, care, and adaptive functions. The basic functions of the family are to: (1) regulate sexual access and activity (2) provide an orderly context for procreation (3) nurture and socialize children (4) ensure economic stability and (5) ascribe social status. ![]() Societies around the world rely on the family to perform certain functions. Family functions, regardless of family structure, elicit similar behaviors and practices worldwide (Georgas et al. Family life typically provides an environment for ensuring the vital needs of food and shelter, the generation and maintenance of wealth, and the provision of care and other nonmaterial resources. Although what constitutes a family is cross-culturally variable, family functions are remarkably similar from culture to culture. Yet, more attention is given to family structure than to the functions that families are expected to fulfill. Recognizing the complicated mosaic of family patterns is important for fostering tolerance in light of global diversity.
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