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What is the sociological definition of a family? What is the sociological definition of a family?
Family is the setting for socializing children Family is the setting for socializing children
Family means a shared residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction Family means a shared residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction
Family is dependency Family is dependency
Families are defined by what they do Families are defined by what they do
It depends on the type of family and approach It depends on the type of family and approach
Family has different meanings at different times Family has different meanings at different times
Families can take many forms Families can take many forms
Human infants are born with sensory capabilities, not innate reflexes Human infants are born with sensory capabilities, not innate reflexes
Families share these factors across cultures Families share these factors across cultures
Polyamorous and non-monogamous relationships are widespread Polyamorous and non-monogamous relationships are widespread
A common residence differentiates family from close friends A common residence differentiates family from close friends
The family is responsible for producing new members The family is responsible for producing new members
Families are dependent on each other for multiple forms of support. Families are dependent on each other for multiple forms of support.
Functional definitions of families are more inclusive Functional definitions of families are more inclusive
Families physically care for members Families physically care for members
Families control members Families control members
Families preserve a state of equilibrium Families preserve a state of equilibrium
Families provide support Families provide support
You cannot group all families under one sociological definition You cannot group all families under one sociological definition
Families of orientation vs families of procreation Families of orientation vs families of procreation
Micro, Macro, and meso definitions Micro, Macro, and meso definitions
The family unit is constantly evolving The family unit is constantly evolving
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What is the sociological definition of a family?
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Family means a shared residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction

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The family is responsible for producing new members

Families create new family members through procreation. Producing offspring is a fundamental necessity for life, and the family fulfills the role of procreation, raising children, and furthering human life for generations.
Saul Smilansky
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Context

Family heritages can be traced for generations and connect to a broader name or identity. Families have a responsibility to continue their family name through their posterity.

The Argument

Producing offspring is a fundamental necessity for life. A species must be able to reproduce in order to survive. Moreover, a species must reproduce with genetic variation to most successfully survive.[1] Human genetics are finite. The only way to pass down genetics, characteristics, phenotypes, or other hereditary traits is to have children. Families have a duty to continue their family name by producing offspring.[1] Giving birth to children brings value to the world. Valuable people (having special genetic features) produce offspring with similar valuable genetic traits. In addition, the creation of life itself is the most valuable characteristic of life. One’s progeny “carries its share in society” for future generations to benefit.[2] Families have a duty to produce offspring. Procreation is not only a defining characteristic of a family but of life in general.

Counter arguments

Families can still make an impact on society without leaving offspring. Some families may not be able to have children, have financial limitations, or may choose to not have children. For example, Mother Teresa and Sir Isaac Newton both bettered humanity with their respective contributions, all without starting a family or leaving offspring. They still left a valuable impact—albeit not children—on society for generations to come. [1] In addition, humans can procreate without being a part of a family. People can choose to have a child in traditional means, yet not start a family. Similarly, mothers can give birth to a child with other means (such as a sperm bank) but still choose to not form a family.

Proponents

Premises

Rejecting the premises

References

  1. https://www.theatlantic.com/personal/archive/2007/05/the-moral-obligation-to-have-children/54313/
  2. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24354037?seq=6#metadata_info_tab_contents
This page was last edited on Sunday, 27 Sep 2020 at 22:17 UTC

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