Skip to primary navigation

Skip to main content

Skip to primary sidebar
Skip to footer
SOCIOLOGY GROUP

FREE SOCIOLOGY NOTES AND DICTIONARY

MENU
what is family institution and its characteristics
NOVEMBER 15, 2017 BY ZUNHAID TAPIA

What is a family institution?

In simple terms, a family can be referred to as a group that is deliberately created or created by the
virtue of birth. It may be created to serve various purposes like for protection and security, sense
of belonging, controlled and disciplined behavior and even for the mating purpose.

The word family is said to have been derived from the Roman word ‘famulus’ meaning servant
and from the Latin word ‘familia’ meaning household.

family institution meaning

Therefore, the etymological meaning of the word family would be “The family is generally
regarded a locus of much of a person’s social activity. It is a social unit created by blood,
marriage, or adoption, for the purpose of support and mutual growth.

What purpose does a family serve?

To understand what the characteristics of the family as an institution are it is necessary to

understand its purpose, existence, and origin. The main function of the family is considered as the
continuation of the human race which is through giving birth and properly nurturing and caring for
the child beside this a family as helps fulfill sexual needs and also provide a sense of commitment
and sexual fidelity.

Characteristics of the family institution can be divided into various general and specific
characteristics which may or may not be applicable to all families but are generally followed

The general characteristics of the family institution can be explained as follows:

General characteristics are referred to as those characteristics that are customary and are generally
applicable to all families and are the basis for the creation and sustenance of family as an
institution.

According to J.L. Rachroo , “family is a universal concept, the sexual urge of men and women, the
desire of a woman to bear a child, of a man to perpetuate his line and of the both to look after their
procreation, coupled with the desire of economic security for leisure and for pleasure on the basis
of division of labour may have contributed to the origin of the family.

Universality: the family has existed in every age and in every society, i.e. Every individual is or
has been a part of a family. It never happens that an individual never has a family as a family is a
necessity. It is necessary to understand that to a child born and abandoned the parents who
abandon him are his immediate family until he or she marries and makes his or her own family

Fixed habitation: in the daily life if an individual doesn’t have a home the life would be one of
great unrest as it would be haphazard in nature. A family has a specific place of habitation known
as a home and it provides a safe space to all the members of the family a so-called ‘haven’. It also
provides orderliness to human life.

Economic stability or financial provisions: Every family has some or the other kind of financial
provisions that help fulfill the needs of all the members of the family. This provision could be by
means of working and getting money in the house. For example, a father in a family is expected to
be the bread earner of the family and he has to go and work and earn money for the sustenance of
the family.

A sense of responsibility among members: the family is a very closely related group of people
where each individual has a responsibility towards other members of the family. The family
provides full security to all members including the young and the old. For example, when such
responsibility is ignored as in the case of abandoning of a child or an old mother or father it results
in breaking up of the family i.e. it disorganizes a family.

Emotional connection/support/basis: the integration bonds in a family are mutual affection and
blood ties. A family is a closed entity and is held together not only due to a tag but also due to
emotional ties. For example, a mother for the child may make great sacrifices which for someone
else she would abstain from doing, this happens due to the emotional connection between them.

A mating relationship: the basic existence of a family depends upon the mating relationship. A
family comes into existence when a man and a woman have a mating relationship. This
relationship also supports the institution of marriage. It also regulates the behaviors of various
members of the family like maintaining sexual fidelity or exclusivity.

A form of marriage/ supports the institution of marriage: a family pre-supposes the institution of
marriage. It is assumed that a mating relationship is established through the institution of
marriage.

Therefore like every other institution even the family institution has various salient features which
make it very necessary and important in the human life and also help it perform its role.

Share this:
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new
window)Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in
new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)
Related
Institutions : Meaning, Characteristics, Types, Functions
Institutions introduction For any individual or group to survive it is important that certain human
functions are kept in mind. Like the function of controlling the process of reproduction. For the
society to exist it's important that the members of this society itself keep supplying societal
members with a nurturing…

November 10, 2017

In "Basic Concepts"

Social Implications of Intercaste marriages and Conclusion

Social Implications of Intercaste marriages and Conclusion The caste system is a special type of
social stratification found mostly in ancient and modern India’ but elements of it, and even well-
developed systems of it are found in various parts of the world. The word ‘caste’ is derived from a
Latin…

October 5, 2017

In "Annihilation of caste"

Family institution Importance and functions

Family institution Importance and Functions The functions of a family institution itself tell us how
much relevance it has to one’s life and how important they are. The main function of the family is
considered as the continuation of the human race which is through giving birth and properly
nurturing…

November 16, 2017

In "Basic Concepts"

FILED UNDER: BASIC CONCEPTS, FAMILY, INSTITUTIONS & ASSOCIATIONS,

SOCIOLOGY CONCEPTS
Primary Sidebar
CATEGORIES
Sociology Dictionary
Basic Concepts
Sociology Optional
Branches of sociology
Civil Services
Sociology Of Religion
Contributions to Sociology
Ambedkar
Auguste Comte
Andre beteille
Emile Durkheim
Irawati Karve
M.N.Srinivas
Max weber
Economic Sociology
Environmental Sociology
Gender Sociology
Indian Sociology
Importance of Studying Sociology
Introduction to sociology
Political Sociology
Sociology of Kinship
Social Stratification
Short Notes
Social Issues
Sociology and Law
Sociology and Media
Urban Sociology
Journalism
Migration
Minorities
Social Sciences
Anthropology
Criminology
Citizenship
Research Methods
Research papers
Suicide Prevention Awareness
Sociological Thinkers
Question Papers

report this ad
Footer
RECENT ARTICLES
What is Personality – Definition, Meaning, Types of Personality, Factors
Caste among Other Religions: Muslims and Christians
Manuel Castells: Information age, Works, Books, Awards
Summary: The Communist Manifesto by Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx
Who is Greta Thunberg and why is she important
PAGES
10 best sociology books for Beginners
About Sociology Group
An Introduction to Sociology – Concepts, Definitions and Notes
contact us
Copyright infringement takedown notification policy
Copyright infringement takedown notification template
Disclaimer
Privacy Policy
Publish Your Articles
Terms of Service
SOCIOLOGY DICTIONARY

Custom Search

FOLLOW US
Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn
Copyright © 2020 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in