Functions of the Family

In all societies: Families are goal oriented… they exist for a purpose Families are goal oriented… they exist for a purpose Families are interdependent… each member’s actions affects the other members Families are interdependent… each member’s actions affects the other members Families maintain boundaries Families maintain boundaries External factors may influence the family External factors may influence the family Families are adaptive… Families are adaptive… –New members added –Members leave by death/divorce –Roles/expectations change with age/crisis

Function of the Family #1 To meet the sexual needs of adult members in a socially acceptable way. To meet the sexual needs of adult members in a socially acceptable way.

Function of the Family #2 Reproduction Reproduction –Populate society

Function of the Family #3 Ensure survival of infant humans to adulthood. Ensure survival of infant humans to adulthood. –Humans are the most immature babies born. –Most animals can hide or run from birth –Puppies can survive on their own by six weeks At what age can a human do the following? At what age can a human do the following? –Walk? –Go to the toilet? –Keep themselves clean? –Live on their own without adult assistance of any kind?

Function of the Family #4 To socialize children to the norms and values of society. To socialize children to the norms and values of society. –Children are born egocentric (the belief that you are the center of everything and the world revolves you). –Learning to suppress egocentrism is taught in the family. –Other societial rules need taught (alcohol, education, sex…) (alcohol, education, sex…)

Function of the Family #5 Economic survival/ interdependence Economic survival/ interdependence –Working societies= career –Farming societies= work on farm –Hunting societies= woman forage for food, men seek protein

Function of the Family #6 Meet emotional needs for love and security. Meet emotional needs for love and security. –To learn to love, you must FIRST BE LOVED! –“Love yourself first” is a myth. –The need for love is so central, children will “love” abusive parents. You need love more than you need to feel good about yourself.

Function of the Family #7 The family gives an individual a sense of identity. The family gives an individual a sense of identity. –Note all the people interested in family history/ family trees/ ancestry. –Where did I come from???

Family Function #8 The family shares leisure and tradition. The family shares leisure and tradition. –Holidays, weddings, birthdays, cultural expectations, educational outings, and fun

“One of the oldest human needs is having someone to wonder where you are when you don’t come home at night.” -Margaret Mead