Article: Concept of Family

The family is the basic unit of society. Families exist in all sizes and configurations and are essential to the health and survival of the individual members and to society as a whole. As the primary group for the individual, the family serves as a buffer between the needs of the individual and the demands and expectations of society. The role of the family is to meet the needs of society (Taylor, et. Al., 1989).
The family is a unity of interacting persons related by ties of marriage, birth or adoption, whose central purpose is to create and maintain a common culture which promotes the physical, mental, emotional and social development of each of its members (Duval, 1971).
In today’s society, Friedman defines the family as composed of two or more people who are emotionally involved with each other and live in close geographical proximity.
The family provides a set of functions important to the needs of the individual members and to society as a whole. The family provides the individual with the necessary environment for development and interactions; it also provides new and socialized members for society.
4 Major Functions of a Family: (Friedman, 1981)

1. Physical Function – carried out by providing a safe, comfortable environment necessary to growth, development and rest/recuperation.
2. Economic Function – provide financial aid for members, as well as, meeting monetary needs of society.
3. Reproductive Function – it is met by the birth of children.
4. Socialization Function – this is of major importance and includes teaching; transmitting beliefs, values, attitudes and coping mechanisms; providing feedback and guiding problem – solving.

Family Structure
Family Stages and Tasks

STAGES	TASKS
Beginning Family	• establishing a mutually satisfying marriage • planning to have or not have children
Child – bearing Family	• having and adjusting to infant • supporting the needs of all three members • renegotiating marital relationship
Family with Pre – school Children	• adjusting to costs of family life • adapting to needs of pre-school children to simulate growth and development • coping with parental loss of energy and privacy
Family with Pre – school Children	• adjusting to the motivity of growing children • promoting joint decisions between children and parents • encouraging and supporting children’s educational achievements
Family with Teenagers and Young Adults	• maintaining open communication among members • supporting ethical and moral values within the family • balancing freedom with responsibility for teenagers • releasing young adults with appropriate ritual and assistance • strengthening marital relationship • maintaining supportive home base
Post – parental Family	• preparing for retirement • maintaining ties with older and younger generations
Aging Family	• adjusting to retirement • adjusting to loss of spouse • closing family house