Today it is important in every way to promote and strengthen family values so that any country and all its territorial units serve as a positive example of the formation and further development of the corresponding institution as a socio-economic unit of society. Signs of the family can be fully justified by the following values: joint management of the economy, fair distribution of the budget, decent education of the future generation, and so on. It would be advisable to consider in detail all aspects of the institute.
An important factor in the socialization of society
If we analyze in detail the signs of family and marriage , we can conclude that this institution is a relatively small public association, the basis for which is consanguinity, marriage, or adoption, which is closely related to the commonality of budgetary funds, life, and mutual responsibility therefore, a complex of family relations based on biological ties, legal norms and the procedure for adoption (guardianship).
The history of the institute is equated with the actual life path of humanity as a whole. So, the conclusion suggests itself that the family is among the most ancient categories of the social type. It is important to note that in the modern world, some primitive societies mark the family as the only institution that is able to actively fulfill its functions. These include the tribes of Central Africa, Oceania, as well as the peoples of the North.
The main features of the family
Naturally, with the development of society, marriage and the family undergo some changes. However, the established factors of this issue remain unchanged. Among them are signs of the family as a socially important institution. So, the fundamental elements of this category are the following:
- A union between a man and a woman that has official reasoning.
- Marriage by consent of both parties.
- Community of life as the main link between family members.
- Entry into a marriage relationship .
- The desire for further birth, socialization and, naturally, raising children.
Based on the presented provisions, we can confidently say that the signs of the family quite explain the reason for classifying this institution as the most important values of society. So, on the basis of the points presented, it is possible to form a functional family system and highlight a number of individual functions that characterize a social institution.
Fundamental functions of the family
In accordance with the traditional classification, it is customary to distinguish the following functions that a family performs in the process of all stages of its activity:
- Reproductive function involves the establishment of a sexual relationship with the subsequent birth of children. The presented function is leading, because it is responsible for the continuation of the genus.
- The economic and economic function consists in the formation of joint values of material nature, housekeeping and organization of life. This should also include the pool of capital, but today there is a vivid trend towards the independence of spouses in material terms.
- The regenerative function speaks of the preservation of family values and relics, as well as the transfer of experience from the older generation to the younger.
- The upbringing and educational function sets as its main goal the realization of a worthy moral and psychological development of children, providing them with education, and also raising them morally and ethically.
Signs of a good family
The quality of the above functions indicates the degree of success of the established institution. That is why it is customary in society to classify families as prosperous and not quite. So, it will be advisable to consider the main signs of a happy family :
- All members are in contact with each other, and most importantly - they know how to listen to each other.
- In the course of the dispute, the opinion of each member of the family is taken into account .
- Obligations, as well as responsibility in relative terms, are shared among all members of the cell of society.
- Family members support each other not only in severe cases (for example, illness), but also in everyday life.
- All believe in themselves and have adequate self-esteem. In addition, everyone motivates one's neighbor and never loses faith in his success.
- The family is taught to respect other people and try not to criticize, whether it be the choice of friends or the direction of using free time.
- Family members have a common set of values, know their rights.
What else?
Positive signs of a family are :
- The presence of traditions, the knowledge of children of their roots.
- The volatility and dynamism of coalitions between members.
- Raising an optimistic attitude towards life and all its aspects, respectively, and the formation of a healthy sense of humor in children.
- Providing sufficient attention to the spiritual realm of life.
- Dedication of the necessary time for entertainment and relaxation.
- Encouraging shared meals (and sometimes cooking).
- The promotion of altruism (gratuitous actions aimed at the benefit of another person, school, and so on).
- The formation of decent conditions for the personal growth of each member of the family.
- The exclusion of embarrassment when contacting family members for support to each other or to specialists of the corresponding category.
- Signs of a healthy family suggest joint tourism or sporting events. It can be a trip, going to a bowling alley, a gym or even basketball. In addition, a regular weekend in the country will serve as a wonderful vacation, contributing to the strengthening of the family not only in terms of health, but also in terms of the interaction of its members.
Types of Family Organization
Due to a comprehensive study of the institution of the family, several types of organization can be distinguished. So, depending on the forms of marriage, it is customary to distinguish monogamous families, polygamous, as well as polygyny and polyandry. If we consider the institution by gender of the spouses, then there are same-sex and heterosexual families. Such a factor as the number of children classifies the objects in question into infertile (childless), one-child, one-child, one-child and, naturally, many-child. Depending on the composition, simple (nuclear) and complex (patriarchal) families are distinguished . In turn, the former are divided into elementary and compound. If we consider the institution from the point of view of a person in it, then there are parental and reproductive objects. Such a factor as family living implies their classification into matrilocal, patrilocal and neolocal. And finally, depending on the type of parenting, it is customary to distinguish families of an authoritarian type, liberal and democratic.
Features and problems of the institution of the family at the present stage of society
Despite the rapid passage of time, the fundamental characteristics of the family remain unchanged. Nevertheless, the features of this institution are subject to some adjustments, in addition, today there is a tendency to increase problems inherent in the modern unit of society. Important characteristics of a family today are its nuclear “content” (the family core consists exclusively of wife, husband and children), as well as egalitarianism (the basis of such a family is considered equal and voluntary, independent of material calculations and other people's opinions, the union of a man and a woman). In addition, the cell of society is exogamous, that is, it obeys the prohibition of marriages of blood relatives, and is "symmetrical", in which both spouses work.
The main problems of a modern family
Among the main problems that often arise at the present stage of society, it is worth highlighting the later formation of social readiness for creating a family, an increase in the number of divorces, as well as the transformation of marriage from an economic institution into a moral one (due to the scientific and technological revolution). To solve these problems, modern society must make a lot of efforts, because every year the situation only worsens. Everyone knows that each couple goes through several stages of development (regarding personal relationships). Thus, the transition from one level to another, as a rule, is accompanied by a serious crisis, which only the most wise and powerful people can overcome. Today, even the impossible is possible. So, you need to believe and act!