Paragraph on Family: which are discharged from Parents!
Many family duties which were discharged formerly by the parents have now been transferred to external agencies.
Cooking, washing and caring for the children are hardly performed in numerous homes of the West and also in some of the East.
A number of external agencies such as maternity hospitals, baby clinics, creches, baby sitters, hotels, clubs and cinemas have taken over the functions once performed in the family.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
The functions of a modern family are much limited. Even the task of procreation has suffered a setback. Of course the task of satisfaction of sex need is better performed without any fear of pregnancy by modern family. In short, the family has lost some of its former functions. It is to be, however, remembered that though there is a loss of functions, the family is not going to perish.
The task of procreation of children, the most essential social function, is only performed through the family. This function is incapable of being shifted to any other institution without a radical change in society. If marriage is not for the purpose of having children, there would be no purpose in having it at all, because companionship and sexual gratification can be had without the formalities of wedlock. More people are being married than ever before. In addition more women are having children.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
The family satisfies not only the physiological needs of the male and female but it also satisfies their psychological needs, the desire to love and to be loved. Mutual affection among family members provides solace against many of the mental difficulties of a complicated society. Despite its structural and functional changes the family still plays a significant role in social strength and social solidarity.
It is the foundation of all social life. It is an inseparable part of man’s nature. Burgess and Locke write. “It seems safe to predict that the family will survive, both because of us long history of adaptability to changing conditions and because of the importance of its functions of affection—giving and receiving in personal satisfaction and in personality development.”