Family | Sociology Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Family - A Social Institute

A family includes (at least) an adult man, an adult woman and their children

Family is a crucial social institution and serves as the fundamental building block of the social structure in any society. It has been a universal institution throughout human history, existing in various forms across simple and complex societies. However, the internal organization, autonomy, and social norms surrounding family life differ across cultures and time.

• Components of a Family: A family typically consists of at least one adult man, one adult woman, and their children. Sociologists Horton and Hunt define family as 'a kinship grouping that provides for the rearing of children and for certain other human needs.' MacIver and Page consider family to be the most important primary group in society, describing it as 'a group defined by a sex relationship sufficiently precise and enduring to provide for the production and upbringing of children.' Other definitions emphasize the role of consanguinity (blood relations) and the biological and social roles played by parents and children.
• Universality of the Family: In his study "Social Structure," George Peter Murdock examined the institution of the family across a wide range of societies, sampling 250 societies from small hunting and gathering bands to large-scale industrial societies. He found that some form of family existed in every society, leading him to conclude that the family is a universal institution. Murdock defines the family as 'a social group characterized by common residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction, including adults of both sexes, at least two of whom maintain a socially approved sexual relationship, and one or more children, own or adopted, of the sexually cohabitating adults.' The parent-child relationship is primarily social, with children recognized as members of a particular family, regardless of biological connections.
• Nuclear Family: Murdock's research found that the nuclear family, either on its own or as the basic unit within an extended family, was present in every society in his sample. This led him to conclude that 'the nuclear family is a universal human social grouping, either as the sole prevailing form of the family or as the basic unit from which more complex forms are compounded.' Other scholars, such as R. H. Lowie, have also emphasized the importance of the husband-wife-child unit in all societies, regardless of variations in marital practices and relationships.

Historical Origins of the Family

Anthropologists have long been interested in the historical origins of the family. Some theories suggest that the 'original state of mankind' was one of sexual promiscuity, also known as the theory of early sex communism or primitive promiscuity. Works like L.H. Morgan's Ancient Society and R. Briffault's The Mothers propose this idea. However, anthropological evidence has increasingly challenged this theory, showing that family life is highly developed among primates and other non-human species.

Evolutionary Theory of the Family

Morgan's evolutionary theory suggests that early human societies were characterized by unregulated sexual relationships and a lack of the institution of family. He argued that due to free sex relations and ignorance of the role of paternity, fathers were unimportant, and mother-sibling groups were the earliest social units. Morgan's conclusions were largely theoretical, proposing a sequential growth of the family institution. He identified five different and successive forms of family, each associated with a corresponding type of marriage:

• The consanguine family: This group was based on the intermarriage of siblings and cousins.
• The punaluan family: This family type involved the intermarriage of several sisters with each other's husbands, and several brothers with each other's wives.
• The syndyasmian family: This temporary and flexible arrangement involved one man and one woman having exclusive cohabitation with one another.
• The patriarchal family: This family type was based on one man marrying multiple wives, with each wife being separate from the others.
• The monogamian family: This form of family was based on exclusive marriage between single pairs.

In conclusion, the family is a universal and essential social institution that varies in its forms and practices across societies. The nuclear family remains a fundamental unit in every society, and the historical origins of the family continue to be the subject of anthropological research and debate. Understanding the diverse forms and functions of families is crucial for understanding the social fabric of any society.

Concept of Family

The concept of family structure and its evolution has been a topic of major interest among sociologists and anthropologists. Various theories have been proposed by scholars like Morgan, Westermarck, and Briffault to explain the origin and development of the family institution. The debate revolves around whether the family originated from male possessiveness and jealousy, as suggested by Westermarck, or from the economic advantages of having a man attached to a woman, as proposed by Briffault.

• Different forms of families have been classified based on criteria such as marriage, descent, authority, residence patterns, and nature of relationships among family members. Monogamous and polygamous families are classified based on marriage, while patrilineal and matrilineal families are classified based on descent. Patriarchal and matriarchal families are distinguished by the nature of authority, and virilocal, uxorilocal, and neolocal families are classified based on residence patterns.
• Conjugal and consanguine families are classified based on the nature of relationships among family members. Family of orientation and family of procreation are classifications based on membership. Other classifications proposed by scholars include atomistic, domestic, and trusteeship families by Zimmerman, and institutional and companionship families by Burgess and Locke.
• In the Indian context, the joint family is a significant family structure, characterized by commensality, common residence, coparcenary, cooperation sentiment, and ritual bonds. The Karta, or the head of the family, holds the authority to make decisions, maintain peace and discipline, and control the family property.
• Understanding the various forms of families and their evolution is crucial for sociological and anthropological studies to get a better understanding of human societies and their development. 

I.P. Desai's Classification of Family Types in India

• Nuclear Family: The smallest family unit, consisting of a wife, husband, and their unmarried children.
• Functional Joint Family: Two families with blood relationships living separately but functioning under one common authority.
• Functional and Substantial Joint Family: A functional joint family that also shares property.
• Marginal Joint Family: Two generations of family members living together functionally and substantially.
• Traditional Joint Family: Three or more generations living together in one household, owning property collectively, and participating in family rituals.

Alternative Family Types in India

• Matrilineal Family (Nayars of Kerala): Known as the 'Taravad,' this system emphasizes the bond between siblings and de-emphasizes the bond between husband and wife. Women inherit property, and men are only occasional visitors to their wives' households.
• Patrilineal Family (Coorgs of South India): Called the 'okka,' this family type is based on agnatic relationships and is strongly tied to land and property ownership.
• Nambudari Joint Family: Known as the 'Illom,' this family type practiced primogeniture, where only the eldest son inherits the property. Younger sons have "liaison" relationships with higher-caste Nayar women, and their children become members of their mother's Taravad.

Factors Influencing Changes in Indian Families

1. Industrialization and Urbanization: These processes have separated the workplace from home, led to residential separation, and contributed to the disintegration of large family units.
2. Education: Modern education has led to changes in attitudes and values, later marriages, smaller family sizes, and more liberal and autonomous women.
3. Legal Reforms: Laws regarding education, marriage, employment, and property have challenged traditional inheritance patterns and the dependent position of women within the family.
4. Western Influence: Individualism and the decline of religious sanctions behind family and marriage have also contributed to changes in Indian families.

Critiques and Debates on Family as an Institution

• Feminist Perspectives: Feminist writers have criticized the role of women within the family and condemned the family as an institution that oppresses women.
• Marxist Perspectives: Marxists argue that the family serves the interests of the capitalist class and perpetuates social inequalities.
• Postmodern Perspectives: Postmodernists claim that there is no longer a dominant family type and that different explanations are needed for different types of families.

Conclusion

The family as an institution has undergone significant changes in India and around the world. Factors such as industrialization, urbanization, education, and legal reforms have contributed to these changes. Different perspectives on the family, including feminist, Marxist, and postmodern views, have challenged traditional assumptions about the importance and benefits of family life. As societies continue to evolve, the role and structure of the family will likely continue to be a subject of debate and transformation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) of Family

What is the universal definition of a family?

A family typically consists of at least one adult man, one adult woman, and their children. Different definitions emphasize the role of consanguinity (blood relations) and the biological and social roles played by parents and children. The parent-child relationship is primarily social, with children recognized as members of a particular family, regardless of biological connections.

What is the significance of nuclear families in society?

The nuclear family, either on its own or as the basic unit within an extended family, is present in every society, making it a fundamental unit in every society. Understanding the diverse forms and functions of nuclear families is crucial for understanding the social fabric of any society.

What are some factors that have influenced changes in Indian families?

Factors such as industrialization, urbanization, education, legal reforms, and Western influence have contributed to changes in Indian families, leading to smaller family sizes, late marriages, more liberal and autonomous women, and changes in attitudes and values.

What are some alternative family types in India?

Some alternative family types in India include the Matrilineal Family (Nayars of Kerala), the Patrilineal Family (Coorgs of South India), and the Nambudari Joint Family.

What are some critiques and debates on the family as an institution?

Critiques and debates on the family as an institution include feminist perspectives, which criticize the role of women within the family; Marxist perspectives, which argue that the family serves the interests of the capitalist class; and postmodern perspectives, which claim that there is no longer a dominant family type and that different explanations are needed for different types of families.