THE FAMILY AND THE HOUSEHOLD

FAMILY
- is considered the basic unit of social organization.
- it is made up of a group of individuals who are linked together by blood, marriage relations, or
adoption.
- it constitutes single household that interrelates with each other and performs the social roles of
a husband, wife, mother, father, brother, and sister.

Different Definitions of Family

Sociologist and Anthropo Definition of Family
logist

George Peter Murdoc Family is a social group that has the following characteristics :
k
1. Share common residence

2. Presence of economic cooperation

3. Reproduce offspring

4. Include adults of both sexes wherein at least two of whom uphold a sociall
y approved form of sexual relationships

5. Responsible for the socialization of infants and children.

Kingsley Davis Family is a group of individuals wherein the relationship is based on consang

uinity and kinship.

Talcott Parsons Family is a factory that develops and produces human personalities.

Bronislaw Malinowski Family is an institution that passes down the cultural traditions of a society t
o the next generation
- Sociology Guide.com.2016.”Family.”
http://www.sociologyguide.com/marriage-family/Family.php

Different Interpretations/Assumptions of Major Sociological Perspectives about Family

Theoretical Perspective Assumptions About Family

Structural Functionalism Theory Family is important because it performs different roles for soc
iety.

1. Agent of socialization.

2. Provides emotional and practical support for family membe
rs.

3. Controls sexual activity and sexual reproduction.

4. Provides family members with social identity.

Conflict Theory Family is a cause of social inequality because it strengthen economic inequalit
y and allows the continuity of patriarchy.

Symbolic Interaction The family memb' interaction can produce a shared understanding of their situ
ist Theory ations.