FAMILY 

Theoretical overview

The word family is derived from Latin word ‘famulus’ means ‘servant’

Family is a social institution. It is a group of two or more person related by blood, marriage or adoption.

According to Clare “Family is a system of relationship existing between parents and child.”

Family is a “ a group defined by a sex relationship sufficiently precise and enduring to provide for the procreation and upbringing of child.” – Maclver

Family is a ‘’socially recognized unit of people related to each other by kinship, marital and legal ties” – Anderson and Parker 

Characteristics of family

1. A mating relationship: a family comes into existence when a man and a woman established a mating relationship b/w them. this relation may be of short period or lifelong.
2. A form of marriage : mating relationship is established through this institution of marriage. Marriage may be solemnized in a simple way or be a long process.
3. An economic provision: every family needs an economic provision to satisfy the economic needs. The head of the family carries on the certain profession and earn money to maintain the family.
4. It is universal: family is the most universal group. It is the first institution in the history of men. It is existed in every society and in all parts of world.. no culture or society is existed without  some form of the family organization.
5. Limited size: the size of family is limited for it is defined by biological conditions which can not transcend.
6. Permanent: family as an institution is permanent & universal.

FORMS OF FAMILY

1. On the basis of authority a family may be patriarchal or matriarchal.

Patriarchal family : this type of family is most famous one. Under patriarchal family the male is the head of the family. He is also the owner and administrator of the family property and rights.

Characteristics of Patriarchal family:

• the wife after marriage comes to live in the home of her husband.
• The father is the supreme lord of the family property.
• The children are known by the name of the family of their father .
• The children can inherit the property of their father only. They have no right on the property of the mothers family.

Matriarchal family: in matriarchal family the power is vested in the woman head of the family with the male being subordinate. She is the owner of the property and rules of the family. 

Characteristics of matriarchal family: 

• Descent is reckoned through the mother not the father because maternity is a fact while paternity is only an opinion.
• Marriage relations are transient. The husband is sometimes merely a casual visitor.
• The children are brought up in the home of the wife’s relatives.
• The authority are rest in the hand of wife 
• Property is transferred through the mother n only female succeed to it.

2. On the basis of structure the family has been classified as nuclear and extended family:

Nuclear family: is one which consist of husband, wife or wives and their children. The children leaves the parental house as soon as they are married. A nuclear family is an autonomous unit free from the control of the elders. Newly weds create ma separate residence, the physical distance b/t the parent and married child.

Extended family: extended family can be viewed as a merger of several nuclear families. Thus a small extended family may include an old man and his wife, their son , the son’s wife and son’s children’s i.e two nuclear families the son being the member of both. the Hindu family is an extended family.

Functions of family:

• Stable satisfaction of sex need: this is the first essential function which the family performs. Manu the ancient India law giver regarded a sexual satisfaction as the primary objective of the family. Satisfaction of sex instinct bring the desire for life-long partnership among male n female.
• Religion: family perform the function of religion. It is the center for the religious training of children who learn from their parents various religious virtues. In the old  families different religion practices  like idol worship, yagya, religious discourses. In Hindu scripture religious rituals are considered to be incomplete in the absence of the wife.
• Educations:  another function is performed in the family is education of children. The family is an important education agency. The child learns the first letter under the guidance of the parents though today he learns them in a kindergarten.
• Health: similarly the health related function is also performed was performed in the old families have now been transferred to hospital and clinics. Formally a sick man was cared for in the family by his own kith and kin today he is admitted in the hospital and looked after by nurse.

Moder family: 

In the early historical period of which there is any record, family system was mainly patriarchal in which the father or any other oldest male member dominated the whole life of the family. The  so-called matriarchal system, meaning mother rule, was not a common feature. As told above under matriarchal system what prevailed was recognition of mother’s rights and not of mother-rule. The patriarchal system, remained unchanged in Europe till feudal times. Under feudal rule, the position of women was more subordinated whereas that of the male members was further strengthened. 

Presenting a contrast between patriarchal family and modern family,  “The patriarchal family is authoritarian and autocratic with power vested in the head of the family and with the subordination of his wife, sons, and their wives and children and his unmarried daughter to his authority. The modern family is democratic based on equality between husband and wife, with consensus in making decision and with increasing participation by children as they grow older. Marriage is arranged by parents in the patriarchal family with emphasis upon social and economic status, and upon adjustment of the son-in-law or daughter- in-law to the family group. In the modern family, marriage is in the hands of young people and selection on the basis of romance, affection and personality adjustment to each other. Compliance with duty and the following of tradition are guiding principles of the patriarchal family. The achievement of personal happiness and desire for innovation are watch words of the modern family. The chief historical functions of the family, i.e. economic, educational, recreational, health, productive and religious are found in the fullest development in the extended patriarchal family.

Features of Modern Family

1. Decreased control of the marriage contract Marriage is the basis of family. In traditional family the marriage was contracted by the parents. The marriage ceremony was based on the principle of male dominance and female obedience. In modern family people are less subject to the parental control concerning whom and when they shall marry. The marriage is now settled by the partners themselves. It is choice of mate by mate usually preceded by courtship or falling in love.
2. Changes in the relationship of man and woman: ln modern family the woman is not the devotee of man but an equal partner in life with equal rights. The husband now does not dictate but only requests the wife to do a task for him. She is now emancipated of the man’s slavery. She is no longer the drudge and slave of olden days. She can divorce her husband as the husband can divorce her. She can sue the husband for her rights and likewise be sued.
3.  Economic independence: Women in modern family have attained an increasing degree of economic independence. It is not only the husband who leaves the home for work but it is also the wife who goes out of doors for work. The percentage of women employed outside the home is continually on the increase. In India, the number of women going out for employment is steadily increasing. In upper classes women are property owners and in lower classes they are wage earners or professional workers. 
4. Smaller family : the modern family is a small family. It is no longer the joint family.

points to remember

• The word family is derived from Latin word ‘famulus’ means ‘servant’
• Family is a system of relationship existing between parents and child.”
• patriarchal family the male is the head of the family. He is also the owner and administrator of the family property and rights.
• matriarchal family the power is vested in the woman head of the family with the male being subordinate. She is the owner of the property and rules of the family. 
• Nuclear family is one which consist of husband, wife or wives and their children. The children leaves the parental house as soon as they are married. A nuclear family is an autonomous unit free from the control of the elders.
• extended family can be viewed as a merger of several nuclear families.