Functions of family – Behavioral sciences explore the cognitive processes within organisms and the behavioral interactions between organisms in the natural world. It involves the systematic analysis and investigation of human and animal behavior through the study of the past, controlled and naturalistic observation of the present and disciplined scientific experimentation and modeling.
It attempts to accomplish legitimate, objective conclusions through rigorous formulations and observation. Generally, behavior science deals primarily with human action and often seeks to generalize about human behavior as it relates to society.
Functions of family
Family is the most important primary group in society. It is an outstanding primary group, because the child develops its basic attitudes in the family. Family, as a social institution performs several functions.
MacIver classifies its functions into two types:
A. Essential or Primary function and
B. Non-essential or secondary function
A. The essential/ primary functions of family are:
a) Stable Satisfaction of sex need: Vatsayana, the author of Kamasutra, has stated that sexual satisfaction is one of the main aims of family life. Satisfaction of sex desire is the most essential function which the family performs. The satisfaction of sex desire requires that the male and female should live together so that their sex instinct can be easily and comfortably satisfied.
b) Reproduction: The result of satisfaction of sex need is reproduction, which is an essential function of family.
c) Production and care of children: The family gives individual a life and a chance to survive. The child at his birth is completely helpless and cannot survive without t… help of far..ily. Family not only takes care of the newly born babies, it also takes care of the unborn babies. Family also protects child from various types of diseases.
d) Provision of a home: Family provides the home for its members. Children are born and brought up in homes only. Though often children are born in hospitals, they are nursed in the homes only.
B. The non-essential/ secondary functions of family are:
Economic function: The family fulfills the economic needs of its members. This has been traditional function of family. Family fulfills all the economic needs of its members such as food, clothing, shelter etc.
Educational function : Mazzin says, “The first lesson of child is learnt between mother’s kiss and father’s care”. Family is regarded as the first school of children. The family provides the basis for the child’s formal learning and gives the child his basic training in the social attitudes and habits.
Religious function: The family is a Centre for the religious training of the children. The family used to teach the children the religious values, moral precepts etc. It is through the family the religious inheritance is passed on to the next generation.
Recreational functions: Family is the Centre of recreation. It serves as a Centre of all recreational activities like singing, dancing, playing indoor games etc. The small children are the source of recreation for the elders.
Protective function: Family always looks after the health of its members both young and old. It takes up the responsibility of its members and maintains sound and good health.
Basic Needs of the Family
The Family is the most vital social institution as it fulfills very important functions such as
- Affection functions
- Up-bringing of the children
- Sex
- Religion
- Procreation
- Socialization
A Healthy Family Requires
- Healthy parents
- Education of children
- Healthy children
- Healthy neighborhood
- Good house
- Good recreation
- Employment of parents
- Standard of life
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