Functions of the Family

Procreation.

Satisfaction of emotional needs

Socialization

Satisfaction of economical needs

1) Procreation

• This is the biological process of having children.

• Without procreation there will be no new members of the human race.

• Families provide a unit for the production of new family members.

• Many argue that the nuclear family provides the best environment to raise children.

2) Socialisation

• The family is responsible for preparing children to live as social beings within the society.

• Within the family they are taught their roles and responsibilities.

• They are taught basic grooming as parents act as role models to be followed.

• The whole purpose of socialization is to teach young family members how to fit in and without it they will find it difficult to function in the world.

• Agents of socialization include : The family, The child's school, Place of worship, Mass media.

3) Satisfaction of Economic Needs

• Responsible for the basic members. economic needs: food, dothing, shelter.

• Most adults in the family go to work to fulfill this need.

• Although some children help in the family business. e.g. farming, in the shop, etc. There are laws which prohibit child labour.

4) Satisfaction of Emotional Needs

• Families are charged with taking care of their family's emotional needs in crisis and on a daily basis.

• They provide comfort at the passing of a loved one or to help a member recover from illness or to overcome some emotional hurdle.

• Comfort may come comforting words or in the form of hugs, kisses, simply being around.