What are the functions of a family?
As with all social institutions, families have been developed by societies to meet certain basic needs or functions.
Traditional Functions of the Family:
The family performs six paramount functions, first outlined more than 70 years ago by sociologist William F. Ogburn (Ogburn and Tibbits 1934).
1. Reproduction: For a society to maintain itself, it must replace dying members. In this sense, the family contributes to human survival through its function of reproduction.
2. Protection: In all cultures, the family assumes the ultimate responsibility for the protection and upbringing of children.
3. Socialization: Parents and other kin monitor a child's behavior and transmit the norms, values, and language of their culture to the child.
4. Regulation of sexual behavior: Sexual norms are subject to change over time. For instance, in the customs for dating across cultures, some have strict norms like Saudi Arabia, and others are more permissive, like Denmark. However, whatever the time period or cultural values of a society, standards of sexual behavior are most clearly defined within the family circle.
5. Affection and companionship: Ideally, the family provides members with warm and intimate relationships, helping them to feel satisfied and secure. Of course, a family member may find such rewards outside the family from peers, in school, at work and may even perceive the home as an unpleasant or abusive setting. Nevertheless, we expect our relatives to understand us, to care for us, and to be there for us when we need them.
6. Provision of social status: We inherit a social position because of the family background and reputation of our parents and siblings. The family presents the newborn child with an ascribed status based on race and ethnicity that helps to determine his or her place within society's stratification system. Moreover, family resources affect children's ability to pursue certain opportunities, such as higher education.
Traditionally, the family has fulfilled other functions, such as:
- religious training
- education
- recreational outlets
However, Ogburn argued that other social institutions have gradually assumed those functions. Education is a good example. It once took place at the family fireside, and now it is the responsibility of teachers working in schools and colleges. Even the family's traditional recreational function has been transferred to outside groups such as Little Leagues, athletic clubs, and Internet chat rooms.
In more recent studies, functional theorists have identified common family functions, some of which are the same as Ogburn’s listed above. Almost all families around the world have at least some of these functions in common. The table below shows many of the global functions of the family:
Table 2. Global Functions of the Family
| Economic support - food, clothing, shelter, etc. |
| Emotional support - intimacy, companionship, belonging, etc. |
| Socialization of child - raising children, parenting |
| Control of sexuality - defines and controls when and with whom (i.e. marriage) |
| Control of reproduction - the types of relationships where children should/could be born |
| Ascribed status - contexts of race, socioeconomic status, religion, kinship, etc. |
By far, economic support is the most common function of today's families. When your parents let you raid their pantry, wash clothes in their laundry, or replenish your checking account, all of that is economic support. Interestingly, this is the most common function across cultures as well. For example, in Papua New Guinea, if the mother captures a wild animal and cooks it over an open fire for her family, this is a form of economic support. Some families cooperate in business-like relationships.
Socialization of children was covered in detail in previous lessons. For now, keep in mind that children are born with the potential to be raised as humans. They realize this potential if older family members or friends take the time to protect and nurture them into their cultural and societal roles. Today the family is the core of primary socialization. But, many other societal institutions contribute to the process.
Controlling sexuality and reproduction have traditionally been sanctioned by families. A few centuries ago the father and mother even selected the spouse of many of their children (they still do in many countries). Today, U.S. parents and children want their adult child to select their own spouse. Older family members tend to encourage pregnancy and childbirth only in marriage or a long-term relationship.
Your ascribed status is present at birth. You were born into your racial, cultural-ethnic, religious and economic statuses. It shapes the way you grow up and are socialized to some degree.
By far, in our modern societies, achieved status, or those statuses that come as a result of your own efforts, is more important than ascribed for most members of society. The degree of achievement you attain often depends heavily on the level of support families give to you.
