- Question
What is the sociological definition of a family?
The concept of “family” has evolved in recent decades. The intolerant view of a nuclear family, where a man and woman in wedlock have children and the male provides while the female undertakes child care responsibilities, no longer applies to many modern family units. So, what is a family?
Family is the setting for socializing children
This position defines the family, sociologically, as the setting in which children are socialised. It argues that the family's defining function is rearing and shaping the young — and that, because this can be done in many arrangements, families take a wide variety of forms.
Family means a shared residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction
A classic sociological definition of the family was put forward by George Peter Murdock. He asserted that families shared a residence, were somewhat economically integrated, and are built around the reproductive relationship of the parents.
Family is dependency
This position defines the family, sociologically, in terms of dependency. It holds that what makes a family is the physical and economic dependency its members have on one another — relying on each other for the various forms of support that sustain daily life.
Families are defined by what they do
This position offers a functionalist definition: families are defined by what they do, not what they 'are'. It argues that a family is identified by its functions — caring for and supporting members, controlling them, and preserving social equilibrium — a more inclusive way to define family.
It depends on the type of family and approach
This position holds that there is no single sociological definition of family — it depends on the type and the analytical approach. It distinguishes families of orientation from those of procreation, and argues micro, meso and macro lenses each define family differently.
Family has different meanings at different times
Because familial constructs change with social, economic and political constructs, any accurate sociological definition of a family can only apply at the time it is deduced.