Characteristics of Family

According to Zaide (1983), the following are the basic characteristics of family:
1. It is composed of people united by the ties of marriage, by blood or by the
adoption.
2. The members of a family usually live together under one roof and they
constitute a single housekeeping unit.
3. The family members are associated with one another with specific social
roles.
4. Family maintains a culture.

Functions of Family
The family, considered as the basic social institution, has many functions.
Some social scientists have postulated the basic functions of the family (Murdock,
1959; Goode, 1964; and Bell and Vogel, 1968). These functions are the following:
1. Childbearing function- It provides for the continuity of humankind through
reproductive, which is a prerequisite for the survival of a society.
2. Regulation of sexual behavior-It only allows sexual activity if it is within the
standard norms of society usually in the form of marriage. By then, sex is socially
3. Identification of social status - It provides the means by which an individual's
social status is initially fixed. The family into which one is born has already acquired
a social position in the community based on the quality of behavior exhibited by it's
members and the extent of their participation in community affairs and activities.
This social position forms part of the social heritage of the individual.
4. Mechanism for social control - The family exerts pressure to make the
members conform to certain standards or norms of behavior. It regulates the social
contacts and experiences of the young and keeps it's members within bounds in the
various aspects of living to maintain its good name.
5. Child-rearing function - The parents look after the children's physical and
material needs, giving them sustenance, nourishment, and protection.
6. Educational function - The family takes the role of educator when the
socialization process of a preschool age child starts. The family transmits
knowledge, skill, attitudes, and appreciation.
7. Socialization function - The personality of the individual is first developed in
the family. It is the first group, which tries to shape the attitudes, values and
practices of the child in preparation for his/her active participation in a society.
Parson and Bales (1995) believe that as socializing agents, parents perform not only
their familial roles but also their related roles in the other structures of society, a
condition necessary for their effective function as specializing agent.
8. Religious function - The family first introduces the children to religion. The
child acquires the religion of his/her family and gets the basic moral precepts and
norms which guide behavior in the family.
9. Political function - Certain aspects of the family like the lines of authority,
decision-making, the system of giving commands and demanding obedience,
loyalty to members, and the cooperative spirit are carried over to the political
activity of the larger society.

Importance of Family
1. The strong or weak mental and physical faculties of the child inherited from the
parents can be developed in the family.
2. In the family, the child learns the meaning of social responsibility and the
necessity for cooperation. It plays a significant role in socialization.
3. The family is a transmitter of culture.
4. It serves as a model for the establishment of another family.

Classifications of Family

1. According to organization
a. Conjugal Family- This is conposed of a husband and a wife. This kind of a
family is best exemplified by a newlywed couple and/or a couple with no child.
 b. Nuclear Family - This consist of husband, wife and their dependent children.
c. Extended Family- This is composed of two or more nuclear families related
to each other economically and socially. The extended family usually exist when the
husband and wife and their children live with other kind and share economic and
child-rearing responsibilties with them.

2. According to place of residence

a. Neolocal - This occurs when norms of residence require that a newlywed
couple lives separately or away from their parents. The husband and the wife
decide on the place of their residence.
b. Patrilocal - This occurs when norms of residence require a newlywed couple
to take up residence with the husband's kin.
c. Matrilocal - This occurs when norms of residence require a newlywed couple
to take up residence with the wife's kin.

3. According to descent
a. Patrilineal - This is a family that traces its ancestry from the paternal or
father's side.
b. Matrilineal - This is a family that traces its roots from the maternal or
mother's side.
c. Bilineal - This is a family that traces its ancestry from both the paternal and
the maternal sides.

4. According to authority
a. Patriarchal - In this type of family, authority is solely exercised by the father.
b. Matriarchal - The members live together under the authority of the mother.
c. Egalitarian - This occurs when spouses jointly share in decision-making,
control of family resources, and child-rearing.

5. According to form of marriage (Brinkerhoff and White, 1988)

a. Monogamy - It is a form of marriage in which there is only one wife and one
husband.
b. Polygamy - It is any form of marriage in which a person may have more than
one spouse at a time.
c. Polyandry - It is a form of marriage in which one woman may have more than
one husband at a time.
d. Polygyny - It is a form of marriage in which a man may have more than one
wife at a time.