The family is a social group within which there is a certain connection. It can be blood relationship, marriage or adoption. All its members have a common budget, life, there is responsibility for each other. There are social relations between them, which lead to biological relationships, legal norms, responsibility, etc. The family is the most important social institution. Many experts are concerned about this topic, so they are diligently engaged in its study. Further in the article, we will consider this definition in more detail, find out the functions and goals designated by the state in front of the "cell of society". The classification and characterization of the main types will also be given below. Consider also the basic elements of the family and the role of the social group in society.
Divorces. Statistical data
The family is a small social group, interconnected by many factors, for example, marriage. But, unfortunately, in our time, according to statistics, the number of divorces is growing steadily, and Russia has recently taken a leading place in this list. Previously, it was always overtaken by the United States. Although, of course, many new alliances are being created. Every year in our country 2 million marriages are registered.
Human needs
The family as a social group and social institution arose a long time ago, before religion, the army, the state. Even the American Abraham Maslow, who was diligently studying psychology, created a model that shows what exactly a person first wants. The concept of a family as a social group includes:
1. Sexual and physiological needs.
2. Confidence in the security of existence.
3. Communication with other people.
4. The need for recognition as a person in society.
5. Self-realization.
Thanks to the combination of these needs, the whole family structure is formed. There are several categories. By the number of children, families are divided into childless, small children and large families. There is a classification and according to how long the couple live together: newlyweds, middle married age, elderly couple. There is still a rural and urban, authoritarian and egalitarian family (according to who is in charge of the family).
Historical facts
The family as the most important social institution creates the history of all mankind. After all, back in ancient centuries, there were groups of people who were united by something in common. By the way, there are still some primitive societies, for example, among the peoples of the North or the tribes of Central Africa, where the institution of marriage is almost the only stable functioning. There are no specific laws, the police and the court are not responsible. But any such unions, however, have signs of a family as a social group. For example, a nuclear family, which includes a husband, wife and their children. If there are still relatives - grandmother, grandfather, grandchildren, cousins, etc., then this will be an extended family. But, unfortunately, at the present time, most people do not particularly communicate with other relatives, so the nuclear family is a social institution that is more common today. Which is very bad, because under any circumstances of life one could get help from relatives if one did not forget that they exist.
Forms of marriage
The concept of a family as a social group includes a traditional view. It all starts with a relationship between a man and a woman that grows into something more. It doesn’t matter if this union has children or not, they can unite their fates together. Subsequently, it may disintegrate as a result of the divorce or death of one of the spouses. Such a family in which one parent brings up the child is called incomplete in sociological literature. There is such a thing as exogamy. It lies in the fact that the choice of a partner is limited to a specific group of people.
After all, for example, it is forbidden to marry according to legal and moral standards for one’s own brother - one’s own or cousin. Some societies prohibit the choice of a future spouse within their clan, tribe. It also happens that an alliance between persons of different races and different strata of society is impossible. More popular in the West is monogamy, which includes marriage between two people of the opposite sex. Although there are peoples in which polygamy is preferred (a union where there is more than one person in the marriage). There are even non-standard relationships when several girls and several men join together in a family. And it happens that one woman has several husbands. This phenomenon is called polyandry. But mostly of custom marriages, polygamy is the most popular. Thus, the family as the most important social institution must comply with the laws adopted where it was formed.
The prevalence of divorces, their causes
Sociologists noticed that since 1970 the number of divorces has begun to increase, and now they are so widespread that, according to statistics, half of the Russians who form families will certainly divorce after some time. By the way, it is proved that when the country is in an economic downturn, the number of divorces increases, and when the economy is calm, then they become smaller. Probably, if a person feels the financial stability that industrial society gives him , then other factors return to normal, he feels satisfaction. The family as a social group and social institution is directly dependent on society, its instability. Many countries try to prevent divorces by making them virtually impossible, or give privileges to one of the spouses. For example, in Italy until the twentieth century. the task of divorcing was impossible. Only then did the government take pity on those whose unions were unsuccessful and allowed divorces. But in most countries, if a husband leaves his wife, then he must ensure her life at the level at which she was during marriage. In this case, the man loses his financial condition. In Russia, people share property. If the children remain with their mother (this is mainly what happens), then the father must provide them financially. There are many different nuances in the legislation of each country.
Human features
In one country or another, a social institution - the family (whose functions are supported by marriage) - acquires special features, its own nature. It is scientifically proven that not every creature, but only people can conceive a child in the period they desire. Indeed, many animals reproduce only at a certain time, and a person does not have such restrictions; on any day, intimacy between a woman and a man can be realized. Another difference is that a newborn baby is in a helpless state for a long time. He needs the care and care that his mother can give, and the father, in turn, must provide him economically, namely, give everything he needs: food, clothes, etc. Even in ancient times, when society was just beginning to develop , mother looked after the baby, prepared food, took care of her relatives. At the same time, the father, in turn, provided them with protection and food. A man has always been a hunter, a getter, performed hard work. People of opposite sexes came into contact, offspring developed, children appeared. Nobody performed the tasks of the other, it was considered wrong, because everyone had their own responsibilities. It is inherent in nature in the human body and is transmitted genetically from generation to generation.
Heir advantage
As for agriculture and production, we can say that the family here plays a very important role. Due to continuity, material resources appeared. All property was transferred to the heir, so the parents were confident in the state of the future of their children, between whom property, statuses, privileges were subsequently distributed and redistributed. It can be said that replacing some people in a certain place with others, and this chain will never stop. The family is the main social institution that performs this function, determines the benefits of generations, the role of father and mother. After all, everything that the parents had was passed on to the children. This ensured not only the confidence of the heirs in the future, but also the continuation of this or that production. And this is important for the whole society, because without a mechanism that will always replace some people with others, it will not exist. On the other hand, for example, some important production for the city will not disappear, because the heir will continue to take care of it when his father is no longer able to manage the business or die.
Status
The child receives a stable position when born in a legal family. Everything that parents have will be inherited, but not only that, it also applies to social statuses, religion, etc. None of this will be lost, everything will go to the heir. In general, human relations are built so that you can find out the relatives of a particular person, her condition, status. The family is a social institution that shows a person’s position in society, largely due to his origin. Although in the modern world you can earn some status through your own efforts. For example, a father, working in a company in an important position, will not be able to transfer it to his son. In order for the latter to receive it, he needs to achieve it himself. But a lot of things have survived: property (because you can transfer an inheritance), the social status of an individual, etc. Each country dictates its own rules, so different nations have different laws that apply to marriage, divorce, and heredity. But in general, the family is a social institution of society, which has its own rules and nuances.
The importance of proper parenting
From childhood, the mother teaches the child lessons in social life, he learns from the examples of parents to live on. It is very important to ensure a good emotional life for your offspring, because in this case there is a direct connection: how to educate him in the family, so he will be in life. Of course, a person’s character depends on genes, but family education also makes a big contribution to it. Much depends on the feelings, mood, which gives the father or mother. It is close people who should prevent the emergence of aggressive qualities in a developing teenager, give him a sense of security, share their emotions.
From birth, a person is formed as a person, because with each lived minute he learns something new, feels something that he had never felt before. All this leaves an imprint on the future character, on personality. It is said that, for example, what kind of relationship between father and mother their son will observe, so in the future he will relate to women, what feelings his parents will give him, such and those around him.
Suicides due to relationships that did not work out
E. Durkheim examined suicide statistics. And it was noticed that those who are single or divorced are more likely to commit suicide than married, as are those who have no children, even though they are married. So, the happier the spouse, the more family members, the less likely there are attempts to commit suicide. According to statistics, 30% of murders are committed within the family. Sometimes even a social system can upset the balance of a cell in society.
How to keep the relationship?
Many spouses make a kind of plan. The family as a social group in this case receives certain tasks, goals. Together are ways to achieve them. Spouses should save their hearth, provide their children with a good upbringing and living conditions, from childhood, direct the development of the child in the right direction. These foundations of family structure, laid down in ancient generations, exist to this day. The problems of the family as a social institution should be considered by all relatives. Together, they must preserve and convey to their heirs ideas about the foundations of the structure of society, which so affect the preservation of the family, regardless of political regimes. The family is an intermediary acting between the individual and society. It is she who helps a person find himself in this world, realize his qualities, talents, gives him protection, helps to stand out from the crowd, to be individual. This is the main task of the family. And if she doesn’t do all this, she will not perform her functions. A person who does not have a family will increasingly feel his own inferiority with each passing year. At the same time, some negative qualities may appear and develop in him. These are very important nuances that you should pay attention to when raising a child. After all, the formation of his personality begins in the first days.
The development of the individuality of each person
The family as a social group and social institution plays an important role. After all, it is she who educates the individual who can live in society. On the other hand, it protects against external factors, supports in difficult times. For no one in the world is a person so worried, not worried, as for his relative. And, without hesitation, helps loved ones. It is in the family that you can find comfort, sympathy, comfort, protection. When this institution breaks up, the person loses the support that he had before.
Value
The family is a small social group, but it is very important for the whole society. With changes in politics and economics, its structures and functions are changing. The emergence of a modernized, urbanized and industrial society had a huge impact on the modern unit of society. The level of mobility of its members began to grow. In other words, situations have already become commonplace when one of the family members has to move to another city, where he was offered a job or promotion, leaving his relatives. And since most members of modern society prefer material well-being, success, and career growth, the proposed options are no longer considered unacceptable to them. And if this happens, then, from a social point of view, in this case, the internal relations of family members change, because the social status of one of them, his financial situation, his views, aspirations change. This all leads to the fact that the bonds that bind relatives gradually become weak, and then completely disappear.
Conclusion
Nowadays, especially in urban areas, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain intergenerational communication. By and large, the family structure in modern society is extremely weakened. Basically, all the care of its members is aimed only at caring for children, their treatment and education. The remaining relatives - especially the elderly - often remain overboard. Misunderstandings and material instability arising on this basis contribute to the destruction of relations between a man and a woman, the emergence of quarrels, and often even lead to separation. The problems of spiritual closeness of spouses are important, but the issues that need to be addressed with all family members are paramount. The family as a social group and a social institution will function and achieve success only when each of its members understands that its achievements, its merits influence it, and the origin of the individual and his social position play a very small role. Now personal merits have an undeniable advantage over obligations. After all, with the help of them, a person will decide where to live, what to do. Unfortunately, the nuclear system is more vulnerable and dependent on external factors (illness, death, money loss) than the patriarchal one, in which everyone supports each other, helps, and if some problem happens, everyone can solve it together. Today, all the actions and thoughts of our state and society are aimed at creating conditions for the harmonious development of the family in Russia, at preserving its spiritual value, socio-cultural nature, and relations between relatives.