SOCIOLOGY II UNIT II

FAMILY

CONCEPT OF FAMILY:

The origin of the English word “Family” is traced to the Roman word “Famulus” or to the Latin
word “Familia” meaning a house hold comprising of servants or workers and of slaves along
with other individuals having marriage or blood relations.

The words like “kutumba” and “parivar” have more or less the same meaning.

Family is known as a primary group. There is no society in the world where family is not found.
The family fulfills basic needs of the society. It is the first agency where socialization of the
child takes place. Family is a basic unit of a society. Marriage between an adult man and an adult
woman is the basis of the formation of a family.

It is in the family that children are born, cared for, reared and provided education for life.

DEFINITIONS OF FAMILY:

According to Biensanz and Biesanz:

“Family is one sense may be defined as a woman with a child and a man to look after them.”

According to Ogburn and Nimkoff:

“Family is a durable association of husband and wife with or without children, or of a man or
woman alone with children.”

According to Elliot and Merill:

“Family is the biological, social unit composed of husband, wife and children. It is considered as
a social institution, a socially approved organization for meeting definite human needs.”

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According to Burgess and Locke:

“Family is a group of persons united by ties of marriage, blood or adoption constituting a single
household, interacting and inter communicating with each other in their respective role as
husband and wife, mother, father, son and daughter, creating and maintaining a common
culture.”

According to Clare:

“By family we mean a system of relationships existing between parents and children.”

According to MacIver and Page:

“The family is a group defined by a sex relationship sufficiently precise and enduring to provide
for procreation and upbringing of children.”

TYPES OF FAMILY

Sociologists have classified families on various bases.

➢ ON THE BASIS OF SIZE OR STRUCTURE:

On the basis of size or structure, family is divided into three parts;

1. Nuclear Family
2. Extended Family
3. Joint Family

1. Nuclear Family:

The nuclear family is one which consists of husband, wife or wives and their children. The
children leave the family or the parental household as soon as they get married.

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Nuclear family is an autonomous unit free from the control of elders. Since there is distance
between the parent and their children, there is minimum interdependence between them. Thus, a
nuclear family is mostly independent.

2. Extended Family:

In an extended family, several generations of one family live together. Grandparents, parents,
aunts, uncles and cousins live together.

It is the merging of several nuclear families. Small extended family includes father, mother, sons,
and their wives and children. Here, we can see the merging of two nuclear families because son
is the member of both the nuclear families.

An extended family may occupy a cluster of houses within an extended family.

3. Joint Family:

Joint Family normally consists of members who at least belong to three generations like husband
and wife, their married and unmarried children, their married as well as unmarried grandchildren.

The joint family is defined as a group of people who generally live under one roof, eat food
cooked at one hearth, hold property in common, participate in common family worship and are
related to each other as some particular type of kindred.

The joint family is family-centered, characterized by intimacy and mutuality of interest.

➢ ON THE BASIS OF AUTHORITY:

On the basis of authority, the family is classified into;

1. Patriarchal Family
2. Matriarchal Family

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1. Patriarchal Family:

In patriarchal family system, the male is the head of the family and possesses the inclusive
powers and the descent is traced through the male line age. The children inherit father’s property
and have no rights over mother.

The male member is the owner and administrator of the family and property. He is the eldest
male, protector and ruler of the family and enjoying full authority over the family.

It is prevalent among the Greeks, the Romans and the Aryans of India.

2. Matriarchal Family:

MacIver prefers to call it by the name of maternal family rather than the matriarchal family.

Here, the authority vests in the woman i.e. the head of the family.

She is the owner of the family and rules over the family.

The matriarchal family is said to be prevail among the primitive people who led wandering or
hunting life where the father in the hunting stage roamed far coming home irregularly and
staying away from the home for long periods of time.

The absence of the father from the home made it necessary for the woman to be the head of the
family. The matriarchal system has prevalent in many parts of the world such as among the
North American, Indians and the people of Malbar.

➢ ON THE BASIS OF RESIDENCE:

On the basis of residence, family may be classified as follow:

1. Matrilocal Family
2. Patrilocal Family

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1. Patrilocal Family:

In this kind of family, the wife goes to live in the house of her husband after marriage

2. Matrilocal Family

In this type of family, the husband goes to live in the house of his wife

➢ ON THE BASIS OF BLOOD RELATIONSHIP:

A family may be Conjugal family or Consanguineous.

1. Conjugal Family

Conjugal Family consists of spouses, in laws and other relatives through marriage.

2. Consanguineous Family

A Consanguineous family consisted of blood relatives together with their mates and children.

➢ ON THE BASIS OF AFFILIATION

On the basis of affiliation, family can be classified into;

1. Endogamous Family
2. Exogamous Family
1. Endogamous Family

An endogamous family is one which sanctions marriage only among members of in -group.

2. Exogamous Family

It sanctions marriage of members of in group members with members of out group.

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➢ ON THE BASIS OF ANCESTRY

On the basis of Ancestry, family is divided into two types;

1. Matrilineal Family
2. Patrilineal Family

1. Matrilineal Family

Here, the descent is traced through the female lineage. It is less common.

In India, the Nairs in Kerala, Khasis and Garos in Assam are matrilineal people.

2. Patrilineal Family

In patrilineal family, the descent is traced through the male lineage. The children become
members of the father’s family but not of the family into which the mother was born.

This is a common type ancestry found in India

➢ ON THE BASIS OF THE FORM OF MARRIAGE

1. Monogamous Family:
2. Polygamous Family
3. Polyandrous Family

1. Monogamous Family

Here, one man marries one woman.

2. Polygamous Family

In this kind of family, one man marries with many women.

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3. Polyandrous Family:

In this type of family, one woman marries many men and lives with all of them or with each of
them alternatively.

FUNCTIONS OF FAMILY:

Family shares some of the functions with other social groups or social organizations.

E.g., Socialization of a child is not only done by the family alone but other social groups like
school, peer groups, and neighbours contribute to it.

In the same way economic functions of family are conducted by other institutions and
organizations.

Davis has characterized the main social functions of the family in four divisions:

1. Reproduction
2. Maintenance
3. Placement
4. Socialization of Young

Lundberg has enumerated the following basic functions of family:

1. The regulation of sexual behaviour and reproduction

2. Care and training of children
3. Cooperation and division of labour
4. Primary group satisfaction

Ogburn and Nimkoff have divided family functions in six categories:

1. Affection
2. Economic
3. Recreational
4. protective

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5. religious
6. Educational

Reed has described the following functions:

1. Race Perpetuation
2. Socialization
3. Regulation and Satisfaction of sex needs
4. Economic Functions

MacIver divides functions of family into 2 categories:

1. Essential Functions
2. Non-Essential Functions

FUNCTIONS OF FAMILY:

MacIver divides functions of family into 2 categories:

1. Essential Functions
2. Non-Essential Functions

Satisfaction
of Sex
Needs

Essential
Functions

Procreation
Provision of
and Rearing
a Home
of Children

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A. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Satisfaction of Sex Needs:

This is the first essential function which the family performs.

Satisfaction of sex instincts brings the desire for lifelong partnership among male and female.

The satisfaction of sex instincts makes for normal personality. If it is suppressed it may produce
personality mal adjustments and disrupt social relations.

It may be referred that every society places some restrictions on premarital or extra marital
mating. No society is entirely promiscuous.

2. Procreation and Rearing of Children:

As a result of sexual relation between husband and wife procreation takes place which fulfills the
task of race perpetuation.

It is another very important function of family.

The Hindu Religious scriptures held the fact that a man can’t be consummated unless he has a
son. The birth of a child can’t take place outside the family, the child born without marriage and
family institution is not accepted by the society and considered as illegitimate.

Training and socialization of the child are the basic functions of family. Family alone can lay
basic foundation for the individual personality effectively. Family even causes to the
development of individual personality through the process of rearing.

3. Provision of a Home:

Most of the society relies mostly on family for affectionate response. Because a person after
hectic life needs a place to be relaxed.

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A feeling of belongingness which brings him closer to the intimate ones. An emotional
environment is very much essential for an individual apart from the material thing because it
helps us to relieve ourselves from the tension and it relaxes our mind.

The people who are grown up in a tensed environment and lack of affection usually face
emotional difficulties more than a man who is loved and cared by the family members.

B. NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Civic

Social Economic

Non
Essential
Functions
Recreational Religious

Health Educational

1. Economic Functions:

The family fulfills the economic needs of its members. This has been the traditional function of
the family.

Previously, the family was economic unit. Most of the goods for consumption were made at
home. All the family members were engaged in family occupation. It was a unit of production
and the center of economic activities.

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Now the economic role of family is considerably modified. The process of industrialization has
affected the family. The center of production has moved from home to the factory.

2. Educational Function:

The family serves as an important educational institution/agency. The child gets his first lesson
from his parents or other family members.

In the traditional families, the vocational education was given by the family but now this task is
passed to the schools, colleges and other educational institutions.

3. Religious Functions:

Third non-essential function which the family performs is of a religious character. Family is the
center for religious training of the children. Different religious practices like idol worship, yagna
are carried on to another generation through family only.

Religious activities or religious rituals put control over the behaviour of human beings. Some
families are more religious and some are less religious.

4. Health:

The functions relating to health which were performed in the traditional family have now been
transferred to hospitals and clinics.

For example, formerly a sick man was cared for in the family by his own family members or
relatives but today he is admitted in the hospital and looked after by nurses.

Instead of “the house where I was born” the phrase “the hospital where I was born” is more
relevant to modern society.

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5. Recreational Functions:

The old family provided recreation to its members. They used to sing and dance together. In
modern family relations is individual rather than collective. The present forms of recreation are
movies, picnics, games, etc.

6. Social Functions:

Social function has its unique stand since the family is the fundamental and primary unit of
society. Family imparts knowledge of social customs, values, norms, etc. to the coming
generation.

Family provides status and role which helps the person to have communication and interaction
with each other in society to satisfy one’s needs.

7. Civic:

Family teaches the child about civic senses of society. The virtues of love, affection, help,
sacrifice, obedience, and discipline all are taught at home.

These are the qualities which make an individual a good citizen.

CHANGING FUNCTIONS OF FAMILY:

Family is a small group formed by father, mother and one or more children. As the most
important primary group it performs several functions- the essential and the non-essential.
But the functions of family are changing fast today due to the impact of modern
industrialization, spread of education, rapid development of transportation and
communication. The changing functions of family are as follows:

(1) Change in Economic Functions

In the traditional family most of the goods for consumption were made at home. Thus,
members of the family were all engaged in the family industry. It was a unit of production
and the centre of economic activities. But, today in the modern society the importance of

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family as an economic unit has been lessened. The members of the modern family do not
work together. They are engaged in different activities outside the home. However, the old
pattern has not been destroyed; it has been changed.

(2) Change in Religious Functions

Previously, family was regarded as the center for the religious training of the children who
were born from their parents with various religious virtues. In old family various religious
practices were carried on which made the outlook of the children religious. But nowadays,
family does not observe religious practices as before and has become secular in outlook.
Family prayers are also obsolete.

(3) Change in the Educational Functions

In the old days, the family acted as an important educational agency where the child was
born. The child learned the first letters under the guidance of parents. But today, the child
learns in a kindergarten. The modern families have delegated the task of vocational
education to technical institutes and colleges.

(4) Change in Recreational Functions

The old family provided recreation to its members. They used to sing, dance and visit the
family relations. Nowadays families do not provide recreation to their members. The
members seek entertainment outside their families.

(5) Change in Function relating to Health

The functions relating to health which were performed in the old family, have now been
transferred to hospitals and clinics. The child is born today not at home but in the hospital.
Instead of “The house where I was born”, the phrase “The hospital where I was born”, is
more relevant to modern conditions.

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(6) Change in the Function of Socialization

Today many agencies help family in the process of socialization, such as hospitals,
kindergarten schools etc. Nowadays women go to work leaving their children at the creches
where educated women take care of them. Thus, from the discussion, we are clear that
almost all the functions of family which were found previously have not been destroyed but
changed to a great extent.

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MARRIAGE

CONCEPT:

Marriage is a common term that we come across in our daily life. The evolution of the concept of
marriage is difficult thing to trace because birth of man is the birth of marriage.

Marriage is a practice that seems as old as human race. Marriage and family are closely
associated with the being of each other. Marriage is an institution which admits men and women
to family life.

It is a stable relationship in which a man and a woman are socially permitted to have children
implying the right to sexual relations.

The term “Marriage” has different meaning for different people. The Hindu concept of marriage
is that it is a Sanskara and a religious sacrament, not a contract. It is a holy union of the two souls
and not simply of two bodies. It is an indissoluble bond which could be broken only by death.

In other words, a marriage is legally recognized union between a man and a woman in which
they are united sexually, co-operate economically and may give birth and or rear children.

DEFINITIONS OF MARRIAGE:

1) Malinowski defined marriage as, “A contract for the production and maintenance of
children.”

2) According to Horton and Hunt:

“Marriage is the approved social pattern whereby two or more persons establish a family.”

3) According to Robert H. Lowie:

“Marriage is a relatively permanent bond between permissible mates”.

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4) According to Bogardus:

“Marriage is an institution for admitting men and women to family life.”

5) Edward Westermarck defines marriage as “the more or less durable connection between
male and female lasting beyond the mere not of propagation till after the birth of offspring.”

FORMS OF MARRIAGE/ TYPES OF MARRIAGE:

In the Indian context “Manu” describes eight forms of marriage as approved in India.

Classification of ancient Indian marriages includes:

1. Brahma Marriage
2. Daiva Marriage
3. Arsha Marriage
4. Prajapatya Marriage
5. Gandharva Marriage
6. Asura Marriage
7. Rakshasha Marriage
8. Paishacha Marriage

1. Brahma Marriage:

“Brahma” was the form of marriage in which the father of the bride invited the bridegroom. The
bride decorated with ornaments was given as a gift to the bridegroom after inquiring his family
status, health, character, etc.

2. Daiva Marriage:

Daiva form of marriage was one in which the father of the girl gave her to a priest who
performed sacrifices for her father as a sacrificial fees.

The bride was properly dressed, decorated with ornaments which formed part of his fees. The
bride has no choice for her mate.

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3. Arsha Marriage:

In the Arsha form of marriage, instead of dowry, the marriage was based on a system of barter in
which the father of the bride was given a pair of cattle or two cows by the bridegroom in
exchange for his daughter.

4. Prajapatya Marriage:

The Prajapatya form of marriage is one in which the bridegroom is duly worshipped and married
to the bride with due honors and blessings.

In which the girl was given away to the young man of her choice with a simple farewell prayer
that the two may live happily ever after.

It is the girl here that takes the initiative for choosing her husband and her parents passively
participate in the function.

5. Gandharva Marriage:

In this form of marriage, neither the consent of the parents nor the rites of dowry was essential.
Only the will of the marrying parties was given importance.

When the boy and a girl agreed to marry, they run away to unknown place and in the presence of
fire they marry each other by simple affirmation of love and devotion.

6. Asura Marriage:

The “Asura” form of marriage is the marriage by purchase.

In this the bride’s people receive monetary gratifications from the bridegroom’s people, bride
price is decided upon by mutual consultations.

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7. Rakshasha Marriage:

The Rakshasha form of marriage was marriage by capture in which the girl was forcibly carried
away by the man against her will.

8. Paisacha Marriage:

In this type of marriage, the girl was kidnapped while she was sleeping and then raped and the
rapist was allowed to marry the same girl.

PRESENT FORMS OF MARRIAGE

At present the most prevalent form is monogamy but polygamy, polyandry, levirate and
sorrorate forms are also found.

1. Monogamy:

Monogamy is the only form of marriage found in most societies. Under monogamy, one man
marries one woman, raises children and performs all rites with his mate.

This is the leading form of marriage and its advantages are now well recognized. It produces the
highest type of affection and sincere devotion. The children are well looked after because both
father and mother give attention to the upbringing of their offspring.

Under Monogamy, the old parents receive favoring care by their children.

According to Malinowski, “Monogamy is, has been and will remain the only true type of
marriage.” Ancient Hindus regarded monogamy as the most ideal form of marriage.

2. Polygamy

Having more than one marriage partner at a time is known as polygamy.

There are two forms of polygamy:
A. Polyandry
B. Polygyny

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A. Polyandry/ One wife many husbands:

Polyandry is a form of marriage in which one woman marries more than one man. This was
found among the Todas and Kotas of Nilgiris in South India.

It is thought to be wide spread in Tibet where condition of social life is harsh and perhaps the
efforts of two or more men are needed in order to support a family.

There are two types of polyandry which are prevalent in India. They are;

i. Fraternal polyandry
ii. Non fraternal polyandry

i) Fraternal polyandry:

In this form one wife is regarded as the wife of all brothers and who have sexual relation with
her. The children are related as the offspring of the elder brother. Eg. Draupadi.

ii) Non-fraternal polyandry:

In this form one woman has many husbands with whom she cohabits. It is no necessary that the
husbands are brothers. If a child is born then any one husband is chosen as its social parent by a
special ritual.

Causes of Polyandry:

1. Lesser no. of women

2. Poverty
3. Bride price
4. Population control
5. Backwardness
6. Joint family

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B. Polygyny/ one husband many wives:

Polygyny is marriage of one male with more than one female or what may be called “plurality of
wives.”

Polygyny is found among Eskimo Tribes and African Negros. In India till today it exists among
Muslims and also among Hindus. Many Hindu kings in the past did so and many rich Hindus and
Muslims still do so. It is more frequent than polyandry.

Polygyny is of two types;

i. Sororal Polygyny
It is a type of marriage in which the wives are invariably the sisters.
ii. Non Sororal Polygyny
It is a type of marriage in which the wives are not related as sisters.

Causes of Polygyny:

i. Enforced Celibacy.
ii. Earlier aging of females
iii. Taste of variety
iv. Economic advantages
v. Childlessness of the first wife
vi. Desire for more children
vii. Social prestige

OTHER FORMS OF MARRIAGE:

1. Experimental Marriage:

Some thinkers have proposed experimental marriages to find out the compatibility of the two
people before they settle down to a life of permanent union.

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A man and woman may be allowed to lead marital life temporarily in order to find out if they can
settle down permanently in matrimonial relations. This approach would lessen the chances of
divorce at a later stage.

During the period of experiment they would become acquainted with each other and come to
know each other’s personality intimately.

If they find that they have compatible personality, they may enter into permanent marriage
relations, otherwise depart from each other.

2. Inter Caste Marriage:

It is a marriage between man and woman belonging to different castes. There are two forms of
Inter caste marriage:

i. Anuloma Marriage: (Hypergamy)

It is a form of inter-caste marriage where man oh higher caste weds a woman of lower caste.

ii. Pratiloma Marriage: (Hypogamy)

Woman of high caste marrying a man of lower caste which is called Pratiloma marriage. It is
not allowed.

3. Inter Religious Marriage:

Inter religious marriage in India is understood to mean marriage between persons belonging to
different religions.

4. Levirate:

It is a form of marriage in which a man marries wife of late (deceased) elder brother.

This form prevails among the Ahirs of Haryana, some Jats and some other castes of U.P.

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5. Sorrorate Marriage:

The origin of the word sorrorate lies in the Latin word “sorror” which stands for sister. In this
form of marriage a man marries with the sister of deceased wife especially she has left no
offspring.

This form is also practiced when wife is unable to procreate or dead.

It is usually observed among the Nagas, Gonds and Baigas of India who pay a high bride price.

6. Concubinage Marriage:

It is a state of living together as husband and wife without being married.

7. Endogamy:

Endogamy means a person selects a spouse within certain group. In other words, one can marry
within his/her tribe, caste, class, sub caste and race only.

Following are the forms of Endogamy:

i. Tribal Endogamy:

In this type of endogamy no one can marry outside his own tribe.

ii. Caste Endogamy:

In this type, marriage should take place within the caste.

iii. Class Endogamy:

In this form of endogamy, marriage is contracted between people of one class or of a

particular status.

iv. Sub Caste Endogamy:

The choice for marriage is restricted to the sub caste.

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8. Exogamy:

Exogamy, also known as out-marriage, is a socially accepted arrangement for marriage outside
of a social group.

i. Gotra Exogamy:

Among the Hindus the prevailing practice is to marry outside the ‘gotra’. People of the same
‘gotra’ are believed to have similar blood and so their inter-marriage is prohibited.

ii. Pravar Exogamy:

Marriage between persons belonging to the same pravar is also forbidden among the Hindus
especially Brahmins. Pravar is a kind of religious and spiritual bond. People who utter the
name of a common saint at religious functions are believed to belong to the same pravar.

iii. Village Exogamy:

Among many Indian tribes there is the practice to marry outside the village. This restriction
is prevalent in the Munda and other tribes of Chhota Nagpur of Madhya Pradesh.

iv. Pinda Exogamy:

In Hindu society marriage within the pinda is prohibited. Pinda means common parentage.
According to Brahaspati, off spring from five maternal generations and seven paternal
generations are sapinda and they cannot inter-marry.

REFERENCE BOOK:

Indian Society – Structure and Change

By Dr. Satyapal Ruhela

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