Concept about 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.
Concept about Family
Family is a group of two, three or more persons living together in one home. Family can be small nuclear, big nuclear or joint family types according to the number of members in the family. Family relationships can be because of the variety of connections like blood, marriage, adoption, etc. among members of the family.
A new comer baby requires positive family relationships for his/her overall development and well-being in the society. Healthy family relationships help in promoting good habits, cultures and traditions in the children. A family plays great role in preparing the new generation child for whole life in the community. A healthy family is the need of everyone especially child and old people.
Definition of Family
According to Eliot and Merril
“Family is the biological, social, unit, composed of husband, wife and with or without children”
According to Nimkoff and Ogburn,
1934 “A relationship of indeterminate duration existing between parent(s) and children”
Another definition of family which is also defined by Nimkoff and Ogburn
“Family is a more or less durable association of husband and wife with or without children or of a man or woman alone, with children”
According to Maclver
“Family is a group defined by a sex relationship sufficiently precise and enduring to provide for the procreation and upbringing of children’
According to Burgess and Locke et al. 1971
“The family is a group of persons united by ties of marriage, blood, or adoption; constituting a household; interacting and communicating with each other in their respective social roles of husband and wife, mother and father, son and daughter, brother and sister, and creating and maintaining a common culture”
Types of Family
Types of family on the basis of marriage
On the basis of marriage, family has been classified into three major types:
- Polygamous or polygynous family
- Polyandrous family
- Monogamous family
Types of Family
Types of family on the basis of the nature of residence
On the basis of the nature of residence, family can be classified into three main forms.
- Family of matrilocal residence
- Family of patrilocal residence
- Family of changing residence
Types of family on the basis of ancestry or descent family
On the basis of ancestry or descent family, can be classified into two main types
- Matrilineal family
- Patrilineal family
Types of family on the basis of size or structure
On the basis of size or structure and the depth of generations family can be classified into two main types
- Nuclear or the single unit family
- Joint family
Types of family on the basis of the nature of relations
On the basis of the nature of relations among the family members the family can be classified into two main types.
- The conjugal family which consists of adult members among there exists sex relationship.
- Consanguine family which consists of members among whom there exists blood relationship- brother and sister, father and son etc
FOR EQ
A description of the above classification of types or forms of family is explained here:
Based on Birth:
Family of Orientation:
The family in which an individual is born is his family of orientation.
Family of Procreation:
- The family where an individual sets up after his/her marriage is his/her family of procreation.
- The family of orientation and procreation may live together under the same roof, but can still be distinguished.
Based on Marriage:
Monogamous Family:
This family consists of one husband and wife, including children and is based on monogamous marriages.
Polygynous Family:
A family consisting of one husband, and more than one wife, and all the children born to all the wives or adopted by each of them. This type of family has its basis in the polygynous form of marriage.
Polyandrous Family:
A family made up of one wife and more than one husband, and the children, either born or adopted with each one of them. This family is based on polyandrous marriage.
Based on Residence:
Family of Matrilocal Residence:
When a couple stays in the wife’s house, the family is known as family of matrilocal residence.
Family of Patrilocal Residence:
When a family stays in the house of husband, the family is known as family of patrilocal residence.
Family of Changing Residence:
When a family stays in the husband’s house for some time, and moves to wife’s house, stays there for a period of time, and then moves back to husband’s parents, or starts living in another place, the family is called a family of changing residence.
Based on Ancestry or Descent:
Matrilineal Family:
When ancestry or descent is traced through the female line, or through the mother’s side, the family is called matrilineal family.
Patrilineal Family:
A family in which the authority is carried down the male line, and descent is traced through the male line or the father’s side, is called a patrilineal family.
Based on Authority:
Matriarchal Family:
Matriarchal families are generally found in matrilineal societies. In these families, a woman is the head of the family, and authority is vested in her. Succession of property is through the female line, i.e., only daughters inherit the property.
Patriarchal Family:
Patriarchal families are commonly found in all parts of the world, since most societies in the world are patrilineal societies. In patriarchal families, the head of the family is a male, and authority is vested in him.
Based on state or structure:
Nuclear Family:
A nuclear family is a small group consisting of a husband, a wife and children, natural or adopted. It is more or less an autonomous unit that is not under the control of adults or elders of the family. It consists of two generations only.
Joint Family:
A joint family consists of three generation, living together under the same roof, sharing the same kitchen and purse or economic expenses. It is a family consisting of three nuclear families living together.
Characteristics of Family
Team approach:
- Successful operations value family time together. Family events and celebrations are important and a priority.
Effective communication:
- Family members communicate with each other. More importantly, they take time to listen to each other and understand others’ concerns.
- The feelings of others are important to them.
Family commitment:
- There is a sense of commitment to each other as a family, a strong bond of family loyalty.
Family religious faith:
- Spiritual life is a part of family life.
- The common belief that they share gives the family the inner strength to get through any type of a difficult situation while holding the family together as a unit.
Crisis-coping skills:
- These families have learned how to deal with a crisis within the family and/or the dairy business.
- Family members support and encourage each other during difficult times. The strength to overcome adversity comes from within the family itself.
Positive outlook:
- Strong families are positive families. They focus on the positive aspects of any situation and never become trapped by a negative outlook or attitude.
Appreciate each other
- Family members share their appreciation for each other.
Family fun:
- There is a sense of humor in relationships among successful families.
- Personal kidding is taken in stride. Family members are quick to share a smile and want to get along with others.
Strengthened ties and values:
- Strong families take the time to strengthen values and to reaffirm hopes and dreams as family members working together in the farm work force.
- These values are passed on from one generation to the next.
