Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
What is the sociological definition of a family?
Position1 of 6›

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.

Supporting arguments · 2

  1. Human infants are born with sensory capabilities, not innate reflexes
    Humans are born without innate reflexes, indicating that parental guidance is far more important in human development than in the development and evolution of other species.
  2. Families can take many forms
    Families can be biologically related, adoptive, or fostered. They can feature distant relatives or a "nuclear" family of two parents of any sexes. Whatever the form, provided it is socializing children, it can still be classified as a family.