1. Functions of the Family

2. 1.Families are responsible for the addition of new members through reproduction. A society must maintain a stable population to survive. Population growth enables a society to become wealthier. Think how many children couples are having these days... 2.Families provide physical care for their members, including the adults, their children, and the dependent elderly members.

3. 3.Families socialize their children by teaching them the skills, knowledge, values, and attitudes of their society. Children who learn these are able to work and relate to others. 4.Families are responsible for controlling the behaviour of their members to maintain order within the family and within the society in which they live. Who's job is it to teach manners, responsibility, respect?

4. 5.Families maintain morale and motivate individuals to participate in society. Participation in appropriate social roles contributes to health of the society as well as providing the means with which families care for their members. 6.Families perform the economic function of producing and consuming goods and services. These six functions enable societies to survive and thrive.

5. People think it is natural for humans to form into couples as they reach adulthood and see marriage as a joyful celebration. However, in the past, marriages were not happy for the individuals, it was a way for men to have cheap slaves to manage their households.