The concept of family has remained unchanged for many years. After all, this is the primary unit of society and the place where a full-fledged personality grows from the baby. The main function of the family is to prepare the child for life in society. Moreover, he must independently learn to overcome all difficulties and be prepared for any realities of life, and, as you know, they are quite severe.
The concept of family in modern society
The family is the primary unit of society, which has the right to develop and function according to its own laws. It is very dependent on society, submits to the political and economic programs carried out by the state, and is also subject to the influence of religion and accepted ethical standards. At the same time, the family is an independent small group and has not only independence, but in a sense immunity. The core of the family is marriage. A married couple independently determines the vector of development of family relations, because much depends on the motives and goals of people who decided to seal their relationship with an official union. However, there are many people who not only conduct joint farming, but also have common children, while their relationship is not officially registered. Thus, the modern family is not just a legal formality, it is a community of people united by parental and family ties. The primary task of the family is to perform certain functions that ensure the vital activity of society and introduce new adapted units into society. It is believed that the main functions of the family in society are reproductive, economic, educational and recreational. The rest are not fundamental, but from this they do not become less important. And now, let's dwell on each in more detail.
Reproductive function: reproduction of their own kind
Reproduction of their own kind is the main goal of any unit of society. If we consider the 4 main functions of the family, then the reproductive will be the most important and significant. If people stop breeding, then the population is facing aging, and subsequently extinction. To support the required number of people, each family must raise and raise at least two children, and for the growth of the population it is necessary to have at least three. Unfortunately, in the modern world, families are affected by economic and political problems, and this does not strongly motivate the birth of offspring. Lack of funds, the inability to satisfy their natural needs - all this makes people abandon the idea of marriage and have children. Even uncontrolled fertility in third world countries does not save the situation, because poverty, hunger and other difficulties do not allow raising full-fledged members of society, and many children die even at a young age due to the low level of medicine and life in general. However, in developed countries, the birth rate does not grow at a fast pace, the mentality of people has changed very much and couples are in no hurry with the birth of children. Young people want to get an education, build a career and just enjoy a free life without commitment and family routine. Naturally, all this does not have the best effect on the demographic situation in the world.
Education is the main tool for personality formation
Education is an indispensable brick in the "foundation" of the personality of any person. In short, the main function of the family is to instill in the child a certain arsenal of qualities. After all, this process cannot be replaced, reversed or made up for anything lost at an older age. The downside is that in the modern world, the educational function of the family is gradually dying out. Children are increasingly left to their own devices or to the influence of external factors. This is due to the equal rights of men and women. A mother can no longer fully fulfill her intended purpose - the birth and upbringing of children, since she makes money and carries the household along with a man. Children suffer from this very much, because they do not receive proper parental attention and make up for the deficit by other types of communication, which are not always safe and useful for their psyche. However, let's not forget that it is in the family that the child learns the ways of communication and interpersonal interaction, and therefore this function is still important and relevant.
The basics of life: the household function of the family
The main function of the social institution of the family is to prepare a full member of society for an independent life. This suggests that a person must have certain skills of self-organization and self-service. And where to learn this if not in the family? From a very early age, we gradually accustom the child to independence: first, he learns to eat without any help, later learns to use the toilet, then gradually becomes familiar with the rhythm of family life. Involvement of children in everyday worries occurs through the distribution of responsibilities between family members. So the kids begin to understand that life is a series of eternally repeating events and actions that a person is forced to carry out day after day. If the family fully implements this important function, the child will learn to keep himself and his home clean, will choose the right clothes and shoes, be able to cook food and want to work to improve their living conditions.
Economic function: first acquaintance with money
We continue to consider the main functions of the family and their characteristics. Some sociologists combine household and economic functions, but most scientists believe that these two concepts should be considered separately, especially in the modern world. Unfortunately, money has completely enslaved the world. Everything is so serious that even stability and a normal climate in a family are determined by its income level. Children begin to understand the value of money very early and quickly get involved in financial matters. The tasks of the parents are to introduce the child to the methods and ways of making money, as well as teach them how to keep a budget and control their personal financial flows. We need to instill in children a respect for money, but do not cultivate it. After all, we live in an era of consumption and the greed of many people simply knows no boundaries.
Family is a place you want to return to again and again.
Another main function of the family in the upbringing of a full and developed personality is recreational or restorative. The nature of relationships with loved ones greatly affects the overall emotional background and even self-confidence and self-confidence. If the climate in the family is tense, then the person experiences discomfort and a sense of anxiety. He has no desire to return home, as he fears another showdown and scandals from scratch. According to American scientists, a favorable family environment can significantly change a person’s life for the better. With the support of relatives, you can succeed in a career or study, as well as easily endure all litigations of fate. That is why each family member is responsible for the psychological state and vitality of their relatives.
Development of communication skills
One of the main social functions of the family is the development of communication skills. It is no secret that the parents become the first interlocutors of the baby, it is they who teach him to speak and understand other people. Communication is an important element of social interaction. If a person has not fully mastered this skill, then it will be quite difficult for her to adapt in society. It is believed that the larger the family, the faster the child learns to speak, and the easier it is for him to further communicate with peers. The social circle greatly affects the communication skills of children, many of them adopt the conversational style of their parents and actively use it in everyday life. It is important to understand that the family has a great responsibility, because the child will enter adulthood only with that baggage of knowledge and skills that his parents will provide him.
Fundamentals of the formation of sexuality of a future personality
No less significant, and sometimes even the main function of the family in the education of the future member of society is the formation of his sexual views. You will be surprised, but the characteristic features of this side of the personality are laid at the most unconscious age, when the child is still very far from understanding such things. This is described in detail in the writings of the great Freud, and he devoted a lot of books to the formation of sexuality in childhood. But parents should not get hung up on this, the main thing is not to injure the psyche of the child with conversations about what he is not yet mentally ready for. Information should be issued in a timely manner and very metered. In addition, try to protect the child from the Internet, because in its open spaces there is a lot of obscene content that can distort the idea of a fragile personality about acceptable norms of sexuality.
Family as a way to satisfy spiritual and emotional needs
Studies by psychologists and sociologists indicate that people who are deprived of warmth, affection and care in childhood are more likely than others to suffer from various somatic diseases, mental disorders and, in general, are in an unstable psychological state. Love of loved ones is a necessary element of a person’s existence, a guarantee of his optimistic mood and harmonious psycho-emotional development. The need for communication with loved ones especially increases during a period of difficulties when a person is forced to cope with the negative influence of society and the environment. At that time, the main function of the family was timely support and assistance. After all, the victim perceives everything in gray colors, the whole world seems hostile to him, and only relatives and friends can become a real support and help overcome all difficulties together.
Phased socialization: first the family - then the society
Do not forget that the main function of the family as a social institution is the introduction of full-fledged personalities into society. This means that every child must go through the difficult path of socialization at the very beginning of his life's journey. It is in the family that children join culture, science, hobbies and hobbies, form an individual aesthetic taste, embark on the path of sports and health, or, on the contrary, degrade from a young age. The lifestyle of parents and the immediate environment very much affects the vector of development of the child’s personality, because even in childhood he is determined with his life priorities and future profession.
What causes a violation of family functions
Unfortunately, not every cell of society can fully fulfill its main functions. Families are exposed to a huge number of external factors, and are often simply not able to fulfill their primary task. This may depend on the political structure of the country, religious beliefs, as well as elementary illiteracy and inexperience of family members. Some educational moments may be missed or grossly violated, and this negatively affects the overall development of the future personality.
Types of family relationships that determine its functionality
The nature of family relations largely determines the specifics of the main functions of the family. Forms and types of interpersonal interaction between spouses will either negatively or favorably affect the development of the child. Consider the family relationship scale:
- Dominance. Complete disregard for the needs of other family members and the open use of methods of pressure and manipulation (from imposing one's interests to violence).
- Manipulation. Attempts to achieve the desired by all available means, but under the guise of "good" motives.
- Rivalry. The constant confrontation of the spouses and attempts to "pull the blanket over themselves."
- Partnership Seven members come to an agreement and pursue a friendly policy until someone’s interests are affected.
- Commonwealth. Family relationships are built on understanding, trust and love.
The more favorable the situation, the greater the likelihood that the main functions of the seven will be fully realized. But do not forget that each cell of society has the right to its own policy of raising offspring.