Family- Meaning, Definition, Charateristics and Forms
The term family comes from Latin word 'famulus' which means 'servant'.
Family refers to a group of individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption who share a common bond, history, and emotional connection.
# Definition of Family
1. According to MacIver:- "A group of individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption, who live together in a common household, cooperate economically, and share a common culture and tradition."
2. According to Burgess:- "A unity of interacting personalities, bound together by ties of affection, mutual support, and cooperation."
3. According to George Peter Murdock:- "A social group characterized by common residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction."
4. According to Talcott Parsons:- "A kinship group that is characterized by a unique combination of affective, economic, and reproductive functions.“
5. According to Michael Anderson:- "A network of kin and non-kin who share resources, provide mutual support, and have a sense of commitment and belonging."
# Characteristics of of Family
1. Emotional bonding:- Family members share a deep emotional connection, providing love, support, and a sense of belonging.
2. Shared residence:- Living together or having a shared sense of home fosters a sense of unity and togetherness.
3. Economic cooperation:- Sharing resources, income, and expenses promotes financial stability and interdependence.
4. Reproduction and childrearing:- Raising children and teaching values is a fundamental aspect of family life.
5. Commitment and loyalty:- Family members prioritize each other's needs, demonstrating commitment and loyalty.
6. Shared culture and traditions:- Families share cultural heritage, customs, and traditions, shaping their identity.
7. Support system:- Family provides emotional, physical, and financial support, ensuring well-being.
8. Socialization:- Family is an important agent of socialization. The primary socialization of any individual takes place within the family. Family teaches values, norms, and behaviors, influencing individual development.
9. Trust and respect:- Building trust and respect among members fosters a positive family environment.
10. Communication:- Open and honest communication promotes understanding, resolving conflicts, and strengthening relationships.
11. Universal:- Family is found in all types of societies. Therefore, family is a universal institution in society.
12. Dynamic in nature:- Family is dynamic. As a result, the nature of family changes according to time.
13. Ancient concept:- Family is an ancient and enduring concept that has existed in diverse forms across cultures and civilizations throughout human history.
# Types of Family OR Forms of Family
1. Based on Residence
Family based on residence are sub-divided into three category:-
(a) Matrilocal Residence Family:- A matrilocal residence family is a type of family where the married couple resides with or near the wife's mother's family. In other words, after marriage, the husband moves into his wife's family home or a nearby residence.
(b) Patrilocal Residence Family:- A patrilocal residence family is a type of family where the married couple resides with or near the husband's father's family. In other words, after marriage, the wife moves into her husband's family home or a nearby residence.
(c) Ambilocal Residence Family:- An ambilocal residence family is a type of family where the married couple alternates their residence between the husband's and wife's family homes, often on a regular basis such as every year.
2. Based on Ancestry OR Descent OR Lineage
Family based on ancestry are sub-divided into two category:-
(a) Matrilineal Family:- A family system where property, inheritance, and social status are passed down through the maternal line (from mother to daughter). Women hold significant authority and influence. The mother's relatives and family ties are given greater emphasis.
(b) Patrilineal Family:- A family system where property, inheritance, and social status are passed down through the paternal line (from father to son). Men hold significant authority and influence. The father's relatives and family ties are given greater emphasis.
3. Based on Authority
Family based on authority are sub-divided into two category:-
(a) Matriarchal Family:- A family system where women hold the highest authority and decision-making power. The oldest or most respected woman (matriarch) leads the family. Women often control property, resources, and social dynamics. Men may play a subordinate role or have less influence. In other words, Matriarchal families prioritize women's roles, perspectives, and needs.
(b) Patriarchal Family:- A family system where men hold the highest authority and decision-making power. The oldest or most respected man (patriarch) leads the family. Men often control property, resources, and social dynamics. Women may play a subordinate role or have less influence. In other words, Patriarchal families prioritize men's roles, perspectives, and needs.
4. Based on Dominant Parents
(a) Matronymic Family:- A family naming system where a person's surname or identity is derived from their mother's name. Children take their mother's surname or a variation of it. The maternal line is emphasized in naming conventions. For example: Johansdottir (daughter of Johan) in Icelandic culture.
(b) Patronymic Family:- A family naming system where a person's surname or identity is derived from their father's name. Children take their father's surname or a variation of it. The paternal line is emphasized in naming conventions. For example: "Johnson" meaning "son of John" in English culture.
5. Based on Marriage
(a) Monogamy Family:- Monogamy is a form of marriage where one person has only one spouse i.e. one husband and one wife at a time.
(b) Polygamy Family:- Polygamy is a form of marriage where there are more than one spouse, i.e., either one person having multiple husbands (polyandry) or one person having multiple wives (polygyny) at the same time.
6. Based on Size
Family based on size are sub-divided into two category:-
(a) Nuclear Family:- A family consisting of two parents (usually married or in a long-term partnership) and their dependent children (biological or adopted). No other relatives live with them. It emphasis on the parent-child relationship and the bond between the two parents.
(b) Joint or Extended Family:- A family consisting of two or more married couples (usually brothers and their wives) and their dependent children. Often, the husbands are related (e.g., brothers). All family members share resources, responsibilities, and expenses. There are close relationships among family members.
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