Family

What is a Family?
(Changing Definitions)
• Group of persons united by ties of
marriage, blood or adoption, constituting a
single household, interacting and
communicating with each other in their
respective roles of husband and wife,
mother and father, son and daughter,
brother and sister, creating and maintaining
a common culture (Burgess and Locke 1960)
 What is a Family?
(Changing Definitions)

• Group of people with a past or history, a

present reality, and future expectations, is
interconnected by transactional
relationship. The members may not be
necessarily bounded by heredity, by legal
marital ties or by common arrangement
(Kramer 1980)
 What is a Family?
(Changing Definitions)

• Natural and social institution based in the

conjugal union of individuals founded for
the common accomplishment of the
material and spiritual ends of life under the
authority of the original ascendant (Family
code 1988)
 What is a Family?
(Changing Definitions)
- a man and woman united in marriage,
together with their children. It is a privileged
community called to achieve a sharing of
thought and common deliberation by the
spouses as well as their eager cooperation as
parents in the children’s upbringing (ECCCE
1994)
 What is a Family?
(Changing Definitions)

• According Lamana and Keidman (1995),

family members need not be bound by legal
marriage or by blood or adoption. Thus
cohabiting couples maybe considered as
families. Single parent households, childless
unions, and dual career are considered as
families too. (new and less rigid perspective
followed by social scientists)
 What is a Family?
(Changing Definitions)

• Nowadays the family is no longer defined by

blood relations but by functions. A group of
individuals agreeing to meet the needs and
perform the functions of the family can
constitute themselves as a family.
 The Family as a Basic Social
Institution and Primary Group
• Plays a vital role in the development of the
individual
• Influential in determining the social
organization of the entire society
• Regulated by custom and law
• Gives continuity to society through its
reproductive function
• The group that socializes the individual and
provides for its basic social needs
 The Family as a Basic Social
Institution and Primary Group
• The family is also the basic unit of production and
consumption, and as such, is at the heart of the economic
process (United Nations, 1992)
• The family exists because there is no other unit that can fulfill
the vital functions it performs for society: (Kirkpatrick)

1. Serves as the link between the individual and the larger society
2. Major agency in the transmission of culture
3. Ensures the continuity of social life
4. Passes cultural traditions from generation to generation
 Basic Functions of the Family:

1. Reproduction – regulation of sexual behavior

and reproduction which is necessary to
perpetuate the human species for the
continuity of society.
 Basic Functions of the Family:

2. Biological maintenance - family is responsible for

the care of the young, the human infant who is born
helpless is looked after for physical and material
needs, giving him sustenance, nourishment, and
protection.
 Basic Functions of the Family:

3. Socialization – it is in the family that young individuals

develop their personality, acquires the basis for
distinguishing between right and wrong, and the
value orientation necessary to be men and women.
 Basic Functions of the Family:

The family transmits the culture of the group, its

patterned ways of learning the values through example,
teaching, or indoctrination supported by a system of
reward and punishment.
 Basic Functions of the Family:

4. Status placement - gives member its status, that is,

the child acquires his name, lineage, a social position
that his family occupies in the community.
 Basic Functions of the Family:

5. Mechanism for social control

• exerts pressure on something it considers as desirable

behavior.
• keeps its members within bounds in various aspects of
living: relations with their fellowmen, morals, control
of sex drives, etiquette, earning a living, etc.
 Other Functions of the Family:

1. Economic – an important unit in terms of production,

consumption, and distribution unit. A source of labor,
holder of property, and transmitter of wealth.

2. Educational – takes the role of an educator when it

starts the socialization process on the preschool and
child members. In an informal manner, it transmits
knowledge, skills, attitudes, appreciation and values to
its members
 Other Functions of the Family:

3. Recreational – concerned with the parent’s selection,

guidance, and coordination of the family’s recreational
life.

4. Religious – introduction of the children to religion

5. Political – aspects of family lines of authority, decision-

making, the system of commanding and following, loyalty
to members, and the cooperative spirit carry over to the
political activity of the larger society.
 Basic Familial Structures/Organizations

The family is a social institution that consists of a social

structure or organization.
The family social structure provides the framework for
the performance of reciprocal roles and the performance
of functions to make the relationship enduring.
The nature of familial structures has a bearing on the
personality development
The structure of families varies from culture to culture
 Family Structures/Basic
Structures of the Family
According to internal organization or membership
Nuclear/Primary/Elementary Extended

- Also known as conjugal family - Also known as consanguineal family

- Consist of the father, mother, and their - Made up of all members of a nuclear family,
natural-born children in union recognized by plus the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and/or
members of the society. cousins all living together as one family.
Two types (according to origin)
1. Family of orientation – family into which
one is born and where one is reared and
socialized.
2. Family of procreation – family in which
one begets children and has the
responsibility of providing for them
 Family Structures/Basic
Structures of the Family

Nuclear family with emphasis on conjugal bond, independent residence strong

allegiance to the members, romantic love, and sexual attraction
Advantages: Disadvantages:

• Motivates husband and wife to • Children may develop emotional

work out a harmonious problems and loneliness due to
relationship based on congeniality excessive child-centeredness of the
of interests, mutual parents for them.
understanding & sympathy. • Children feel the impact of the strain
• Members tend to be imbued with severely in times of crisis.
values of independence,
initiative, & self reliance.
 Family Structures/Basic
Structures of the Family
Extended
Advantages: Disadvantages:

1. Likelihood for performance service 1. Children may become overly dependent

from a member of his kin in times of upon adults thus stifling the
crisis, thus withstanding the stress and development of self-reliance, initiative,
strains of life. and independence
2. Children can learn to adjust to
persons of varying age levels because of 2. Wide range of kin relationships results in
the diffused relationships confusion of values and norms.
3. Children learn cooperation at an
early age
4. Wide range of protection is afforded
for its members.
 Family Structures/Basic
Structures of the Family

According to decent (where the family traces property and family

name etc. )
Rules of descent imply cultural norms which affiliate a person with a
particular group & kin for certain social purposes & serves such
as mutual assistance & regulations of marriage.
 Family Structures/Basic
Structures of the Family
According to decent

Patrilineal Matrilineal Bilineal

- The family traces its lineage - The family traces - The family traces
from the father’s side. Child has its lineage from the its lineage from
also well-defined relationships mother side. both sides.
with his mother’s kin, but when
he finds it necessary to seek aid,
he turns to his father’s kin.
 Family Structures/Basic
Structures of the Family
According to location of residence (where the newly married couple lives)

Patrilocal Matrilocal Bilocal Neolocal Avunculocal Amitalocal

with or near with or near with or near with a new with or near with or near
husband’s the wife’s in neither the place the maternal the paternal
parents parents husband’s or independent uncle of the aunt of the
wife’s of their groom bride
parental relatives
home or
community
 Family Structures/Basic
Structures of the Family
According to the degree of authority (who exercises authority in the
family)
Matriarchal Patriarchal Matrifocal Matricentric Equalitarian

Under the Under the Households that Mother is the Husband and
authority of the authority of the consist of one or authority figure in wife are equal
mother and father and more adult women the absence of in authority and
traces decent traces decent and their children the father while prestige.
through her. through him. without the at work.
presence of father.
 Forms of Marriage
(forms of marriage in a society affect the structure of
the family’s larger kinship group)

1. Monogamy – permits a man to take only one

spouse at a time
Advantage: offers a more balanced division of
labor and minimizes emotional and psychic
implications, and jealousy.
2. Polygamy – plural marriage
Forms: polygyny, polyandry, group marriage
 Forms of Marriage
(forms of marriage in a society affect the structure of
the family’s larger kinship group)

Polygyny – a man takes two or more women at the same

time, involves a common household, economic
cooperation & sexual reproduction.
- Allowed among Muslims and Mormons; in upper socio-
economic levels in some societies and becomes a status
symbol.
Problems in polygyny: adjustment due to jealousy &
distribution of economic tasks, usually minimized by
providing separate dwellings for the wives & giving the
first wife a superior social position.
 Forms of Marriage
(forms of marriage in a society affect the structure of
the family’s larger kinship group)

Polyandry – the marriage of a woman to two or more men

at a time, practiced among Todas of the Himalayas &
Marguesans of Polynesia.

Group Marriage – the union of several men and several

women at a time. Found among Kaingang at Brazil, though
some anthropologists discount the existence of such
marriage.
 Selection of Marriage Partners
( various pressures and controls operate to
regulate the choice of a marriage partner)
Types of marriage regarding selection:
1. Endogamy – norm that one should marry within one’s clan or ethnic
group.
2. 2. Exogamy – prescribes that one should marry outside one’s clan or
ethnic group.

Some societies observe the levirate & sororate norms.

Levirate – widow marries the brother or nearest kin of deceased husband.
Sororate – widower marries the sister or nearest kin of the deceased wife.
Reason: to keep wealth or power within the family & make socialization
of the family continuous.
 Types of Families
1. Single-Parent families – are those where one parent assumes the
primary caregiving role for their children. This can result from divorce,
separation, the death of a partner, or a conscious choice to raise
children as a single parent.
Advantages:
1. Parenting skills enhanced
2. In cases of divorce, better for children to be raised in a non-
tension-laden one-parent family than in a tension-laden two-parent
family.
Disadvantages:
1. Inadequacy of resources
2. Overload: (Responsibility, Task & Emotion)
 Types of Families
2. Blended Families: Blended families, also known as stepfamilies,
form when one or both partners in a marriage or relationship have
children from previous unions.

3. Same-Sex Families: These families consist of same-sex parents

raising children either through biological means, adoption, or other
forms of family building.
 Types of Families

4. Child-Free Families: Some couples or individuals choose not

to have children, forming child-free families.

5. Foster and Adoptive Families: Families that provide care

and support for children who are not their biological offspring fall
into the foster and adoptive category.
 Types of Families

6. Grandparent-Headed Families: In some cases, grandparents

take on the role of primary caregivers for their grandchildren.
This might occur due to the death of the children's parents,
parental issues, or other circumstances.

7. Communal or Co-Parenting Families: These families involve

multiple adults jointly raising children, often without a romantic
relationship between them.
 Types of Families

8. Long-Distance Families: As globalization and mobility

increase, families may be spread across different cities,
countries, or even continents. These long-distance families rely
on technology and occasional visits to maintain their bonds.

9. Child-Parent Families: In some cases, children may take on

the role of primary caregiver for their parents, especially in
situations where the parents are elderly or have health
challenges.
 Types of Families

10. Non-Biological Families: Non-biological families are formed

through strong emotional bonds and support rather than blood
ties. Close friends, mentors, or support networks can become
significant "chosen family" members for individuals.
 Family Dynamics

Family dynamics - refer to the patterns of interactions

and relationships among family members.
 Family Dynamics

Adaptability – The family’s ability to change over

changing circumstances.

Rigid Structured Flexible Chaotic

Adaptability
Rigid Structured Flexible Chaotic

• Have strict and • Have clear rules and • Have adaptable • Chaotic families lack
inflexible rules, roles, but they are rules and roles. clear rules and
roles, and more adaptable and They are open to structure, leading to
expectations. There open to negotiation change, and family unpredictability and
is little room for compared to rigid members have the inconsistency.
individuality or families. There is a freedom to express Family roles and
deviation from sense of order and their individuality expectations may be
established norms. organization within and pursue their unclear or
Family members the family, and interests. constantly changing.
may be expected to expectations are
conform to specific well-defined.
behaviors and
beliefs, and any
deviation from these
norms can result in
disapproval or
conflict.
 Family Dynamics

Family boundaries - are the invisible lines that

define the limits and expectations for behavior
and interactions within the family unit.
 Family Dynamics

Types of family boundaries:

Enmeshed Connected Separated Disengaged

Family Boundaries
Enmeshed Connected Separated Disengaged

• Characterized by • Maintain a • Have more • Have minimal

extremely close healthy balance distant emotional
and over- between relationships and connection and
involved closeness and a greater involvement
relationships autonomy. They emphasis on among family
among family foster a sense of individual members.
members. emotional autonomy. Relationships
Boundaries connection and Family members are distant and
between support while still may have limited lacking in
individuals are respecting each involvement in emotional
blurred, and individual's need each other's support.
there is a lack of for personal lives and
personal space space and decisions.
and independence.
independence.
 4Rs (Roles, Responsibilities, Rules and Rituals)

1. Roles - refer to the positions and functions

that family members occupy within the
family structure.
- tend to be relatively stable and may not
change frequently, especially in
traditional family structures.
 4Rs (Roles, Responsibilities, Rules and Rituals)
Common family roles:

Parents – the caregivers and decision-makers

Children – the dependents
Siblings – share bonds and relationship within the
family
Extended family – grandparents, aunts, uncles and
other relatives
 4Rs (Roles, Responsibilities, Rules and Rituals)

2. Rules - Refer to the guidelines and

expectations that govern behavior
within the family unit.
- Contribute to maintaining harmony,
discipline, and mutual respect among
family members.
 4Rs (Roles, Responsibilities, Rules and Rituals)

Rules – can cover various aspects, such as

communication, chores, screen time,
curfew, and more.
 4Rs (Roles, Responsibilities, Rules and Rituals)

3. Responsibilities - Refer to the tasks and

duties that each family member is
expected to fulfill.
- often based on age, capabilities, and
contributions to the family's well-being.
 4Rs (Roles, Responsibilities, Rules and Rituals)

These may include:

Parental responsibilities - Providing love, care, and
guidance to children, ensuring their safety, and
supporting their education and development.
Children's responsibilities - Helping with household
chores, respecting parents and elders, and taking
care of personal belongings.
 4Rs (Roles, Responsibilities, Rules and Rituals)

4. Rituals – refer to the traditions, ceremonies,

and routines that families engage in
together.
- often have emotional significance and
can strengthen family bonds.
 4Rs (Roles, Responsibilities, Rules and Rituals)

Types of family rituals (Steven J. Wolin and Linda Bennett

1984):
1. Celebrations – special occasions or events that family
members come together to mark and
commemorate.
- often joyous and significant events
Purpose: To honor a particular event or milestone in a
family member’s life.
 4Rs (Roles, Responsibilities, Rules and Rituals)

Types of family rituals (Steven J. Wolin and Linda Bennett

1984):
2. Traditions – customs, rituals, or practices that are
passed down from one generation to another
within the family.
Purpose: Serve to connect family members across time,
instill values and provide sense of stability and
predictability in family life.
 4Rs (Roles, Responsibilities, Rules and Rituals)

Types of family rituals (Steven J. Wolin and Linda Bennett

1984):
3. Patterned routines – the least consciously planned but
may occur on a regular basis.
 Developmental Life Cycle of Families

- The stages and processes that families

go through as they progress and evolve
over time.
 Developmental Life Cycle of Families

Family Stages

1. Marriage or Formation - This stage marks the

beginning of the family life cycle when a couple gets
married or enters into a long-term committed
relationship.
2. Childbearing - This stage occurs when the couple
has children.
 Developmental Life Cycle of Families
Family Stages

3. Preschool-Age Children: This stage involves

managing the challenges of childcare, and early
education, and addressing the developmental needs of
the children.
4. School-Age Children: In this stage, children start
going to school, and the family plays a vital role in
supporting their educational and social development.
 Developmental Life Cycle of Families

Family Stages

5. Teenagers: During this phase, the family deals with

the unique challenges of parenting adolescents.

6. Launching Children: This stage is about adapting to

an "empty nest" and redefining the parent-child
relationship.
 Developmental Life Cycle of Families

Family Stages

7. Empty Nest: This stage occurs when children have

left home, and the couple is once again on their own.

8. Retirement and Old Age: The final stage involves

preparing for and adjusting to retirement. The family may
face challenges related to aging, health care, and
managing the transition into older adulthood.
 Family Disorganization
- The breakdown of a network of various interwoven activities within
the family structure and the disintegration of the smooth family
interpersonal relationship.
- This is usually due to:
1. Desertion
2. Separation
3. Annulment
4. “Empty Shell” family
 Family Disorganization

1. Desertion – One partner simply abandons the other by leaving

home without provisions for financial and other responsibilities.
2. Separation – result of desertion
- breaks up the marriage relations partially (although the
marriage remains in force, the husband and wife set up different
households).
 Family Disorganization

3. Annulment – process which makes the marriage contract null and

void, decide that there was no marriage at all.

4. Empty-shell family – characterized by parents living together but

having no affection at all. They are just together for the sake of
children.
 Family Disorganization

3 types of empty-shell marriages (John F. Cuber and Peggy B. Harroff)

1. Devitalized – boredom and apathy prevails
2. Conflict habituated – there is considerable conflict and bitterness
3. Passive congenial – both are not happy but are contented with
their lives and feel adequate.
 Family Issues

1. Domestic Violence – any abuse that takes place among people living
in the same household. May be parent/elder abuse, spouse beating,
and child abuse.
2. Incestuous Relationship – sexual relations between relatives and
certain nonblood relatives such as a step-parent and a child.
3. Birth outside marriage – seen as a problem because it’s a sign of a
breakdown in a traditional family and a symptom of moral decay.
 Family Issues

4. Rape – the use of force or threat to have sexual intercourse.