The Historical Family
The historical family also had to have their economic and psychological needs met. Preserve Articles (2012) relates the following as functions of the traditional family:
1. Physical Functions:
a). Physical care
b). Provision of shelter
c). Provision of food and clothing
2. Economic Functions:
a). Labour division
b). Determination of inheritance
c). Productive unit
d). Managment of income
3. Social Functions
a). Determining social status
b). Socialization
c). Social control
d). Perpetuation of human achievements from one generation to another
e). Helpful in selection of life partner
4. Religious Functions
5. Political Functions
6. Culural Functions
7. Educational Functions
8. Recreational Functions
The traditional family was much more focused on doing things together. In history, we see a shift from the Feudal Societies, to the Hunting and Gathering Societies, to the Agricultural Societies, then to the Industrial Societies, and then to the Post-Industrial Societies. Several of these will be explained further.
1. Physical Functions:
a). Physical care
b). Provision of shelter
c). Provision of food and clothing
2. Economic Functions:
a). Labour division
b). Determination of inheritance
c). Productive unit
d). Managment of income
3. Social Functions
a). Determining social status
b). Socialization
c). Social control
d). Perpetuation of human achievements from one generation to another
e). Helpful in selection of life partner
4. Religious Functions
5. Political Functions
6. Culural Functions
7. Educational Functions
8. Recreational Functions
The traditional family was much more focused on doing things together. In history, we see a shift from the Feudal Societies, to the Hunting and Gathering Societies, to the Agricultural Societies, then to the Industrial Societies, and then to the Post-Industrial Societies. Several of these will be explained further.
Agricultural Societies
Agricultural societies are focused on the main production of crops and livestock. These societies were made up of farmers and landowners who used the land as their resource. They were unable to move around becuase they had to care for their farms. These societies were very dependent on the weather that everything would go well. Most of the food and needs of the family were fulfilled by what was produced on the farm. Goods were created from the resources they had at home, and very little was bought.
Because of their type of lifestyle, these societies were very individual of each other. The family unit needed to be bound strong and tight for each others economic and psychological functions to be fulfilled. They depended on each other to get the work done and to enjoy life. These families also consisted of many children which eased the work load and made a farm more productive. societies
Because of their type of lifestyle, these societies were very individual of each other. The family unit needed to be bound strong and tight for each others economic and psychological functions to be fulfilled. They depended on each other to get the work done and to enjoy life. These families also consisted of many children which eased the work load and made a farm more productive. societies
Industrial Societies
This type of society supported manufactured goods. Most people during this time had occupations as workers, managers, and business owners. These societies depended on many resources, such as the natural resources, energy sources to make the factories run, a large labour force to enhance production since machines had not taken over much yet, and key equipment which were the machines that were invented at the time already.
This type of society was sparked by the Industrial Revolution where families became urbanized. This was necessary becuase the goods and services being produced through industry would not be needed if families still provided everything for themselves. Becuase of this urbanization, the economic functions of the family increased, as now there was more focus on the monetary worth of the family for their needs to be fulfilled. These families too needed to be strong psychologically to provide for their children becuase it was hard and dangerous work that the parents did, often very tiring. These parents had to ensure that they continued to provide love and support, and more importantly, attention to their children. This was easier when women remained at home to care for the families.
This type of society was sparked by the Industrial Revolution where families became urbanized. This was necessary becuase the goods and services being produced through industry would not be needed if families still provided everything for themselves. Becuase of this urbanization, the economic functions of the family increased, as now there was more focus on the monetary worth of the family for their needs to be fulfilled. These families too needed to be strong psychologically to provide for their children becuase it was hard and dangerous work that the parents did, often very tiring. These parents had to ensure that they continued to provide love and support, and more importantly, attention to their children. This was easier when women remained at home to care for the families.
The Contemporary Family
Societies today are made up of all sorts of jobs ranging from agricultural and industrial, to business and politics. It seems like now we have a mix of everything to provide for the extreme variety of needs that we have to fulfill. Agricultue helps provide the necessary fruits and vegetables that families need to maintain health. Industry is needed to provide the products families need and use every day. Business provides families with services that they depend on to fulfill their needs. Politics help govern society and families to provide a safe and protected environment with regulated laws. All these types of work are needed to support the multi-dimensional needs and wants of the family.
Today it is typical that both parents work to provide for the needs of their children if they have children. The many business sectors enable them to specialize in many different areas, giving more job opportunites, and more business and service to families. Families today are also getting smaller because we now have available drugs and technology to plan families.
Today it is typical that both parents work to provide for the needs of their children if they have children. The many business sectors enable them to specialize in many different areas, giving more job opportunites, and more business and service to families. Families today are also getting smaller because we now have available drugs and technology to plan families.
Why Have Things Changed?
Our world is constantly evolving and changing. The most visible trends we see today is the shrinking family size. In historic times, a large family was necessary for the bills to be paid. Children were needed to help with labour on the farm and in the house. Without children, a family could not support themselves since the extra "free" hands were needed. However, now families have urbanized and children have become expensive to have. The income is no longer shared and the children are no longer working at a young age to contribute to the economic wealth of the family.
Technology has also changed, meaning that large families are not needed anymore to perform simple tasks which is now done through machines and different types of equipment. However, this also means that families can be planned and regulated. This seems to take away part of the function of the family in reproduction, as more and more fertility drugs are being used, or "petri dish babies" are born taking of this pressure to produce.
Technology has also changed, meaning that large families are not needed anymore to perform simple tasks which is now done through machines and different types of equipment. However, this also means that families can be planned and regulated. This seems to take away part of the function of the family in reproduction, as more and more fertility drugs are being used, or "petri dish babies" are born taking of this pressure to produce.