Assignment By:
Syeda Wania Pasha
Family As a Social Institution:
The family is one of the most important
social institutions. It is considered as a
“building block” of society because it is the
primary unit through which socialization
occurs.
Definition of family:
The family is a group of persons united by either marriage, blood or adoption
resulting in a simple household interacting and intercommunication with each other
as husband and wife, father and mother, son and daughter, brother and sister
creating a common culture.
Functions of family:
The major functions of family include:
Sexual regulation and reproduction:
Marriage is a legally recognized relationship between two people who intent to live
together as a partner and these married people are responsible to regulate the
reproduction
In order to develop, each society needs new generations of young people to replace
the old people, and this can be merely in three ways: by reproduction, migration or
conquest of other societies. However, in the absence of biological reproduction, any
society is sentenced to disappearance. This essential function of sexual regulation
and reproduction is performed by the family.
Economic support and cooperation:
Families are the basic unit of economic support. Usually, the father is breadwinner of
family who provide economic support or basic needs to dependent members of
family. This support can come in the form of providing food, shelter, clothing,
healthcare, and educational expenses.
Emotional and social support:
In addition to food and shelter a person also needs an emotional support. Family
members are the safe space for a person to express their emotions whether its joy
sadness frustration or fear. They provide comfort during difficult times, acting as a
source of reassurance and strength and back us up when we came into conflicts with
others.
Protection and security:
Parents provide physical safety from harm and typically ensure the wellbeing of
children by safeguarding them from danger such as accidents violence or abuse.
Sometimes, the family may even be a caretaker if one of its members is sick or
disabled. they provide care and assistance when members are ill ensuring they
receive necessary treatment medical attention and emotional support
Types of family:
Based on size and structure there are 3 main types of families:
Nuclear family:
It is a type of family which include two adults (traditionally father and a mother) and
their dependent children. All of whom lives apart from other relatives. It is considered
as most basic and traditional family structure in any society.
Extended family:
It is a family unit composed of other relatives in addition to parents and children for
example the addition of grandparents in nuclear family will result in the formation of
extended family
Single parent family:
A third family unit is single parent family in which one or more children are raised by
only one parent alone. This may happen due to various reasons such as divorce,
separation, death of parent or decision to raise the children alone.
Based on marriage there are 2 main types of families:
Monogamy:
Monogamy is the most practiced form of marriage where an individual has only
single spouse at a time. This means that a person does not have several different
partners at a time because this act is prohibited by bigamy.
Polygamy:
Polygamy is opposite to monogamy in which a person can have more than one
spouses at a time. There are further two types of polygamy
1. Polygyny:
This is a form of plural marriage in which a man is allowed to have more than one
wife. Polygyny is often associated in Islam however there are certain conditions that
must be fulfilled to perform polygyny.
2. Polyandry:
This is a form of marriage in which a woman can have multiple husbands. Polyandry
is prohibited in Islam.
Education As a Social Institution:
As a social institution, education is
responsible for preparing individuals
to function within society by teaching
them social norms, behaviors, and
the necessary skills to participate in
the workforce and other societal activities.
Definition Of Education:
Education can be defined as a system consisting of the roles and norms that ensure
the transmission of knowledge, values, and patterns of behavior from one generation
to the to another, Education not only involves academic learning but also promotes
personal, social, and emotional development which enable individuals to participate
effectively in society.
E. Durkheim - “Education can be conceived as the socialization of the younger
generation. It is a continuous effort to impose on the child ways of seeing, feeling
and acting which he could not arrived at spontaneously.”
Types of Education:
1. Formal Education: This is a type of education which is all about learning that
take place in school college or universities based on specific curriculum
2. Informal Education: This type of learning take place outside the institutions.
It includes life experiences spending time in your community and engaging
with other people.
3. Non-formal Education: Organized educational activities outside traditional
schooling that cater to specific groups or goals. Examples: Adult literacy
programs, vocational training, and online courses.
Functions of Education:
1. Socialization: Education play a major role in passing on cultural values
traditions which helps a person to engage with the members of society.
2. Skill Development: This function is responsible for giving an individual
knowledge and skills to get jobs and for personal growing.
3. Economic Growth: By providing a skilled workforce, education contributes to
a nation's economic development.
4. Social Mobility: Education offers opportunities for upward mobility by
breaking social and economic barriers.
5. Cultural Preservation: It helps to preserve and pass down cultural heritage
and practices.
REFERENCE:
Book:
Nadvi, M. J. Introduction to Social Sciences.
Website:
Nickerson, C. Simply Psychology.
YouTube Video:
Sociology Classes by Sibu [YouTube video].
