Family in modern society - problems, crisis, functions, role, value, marriage, trends

Understanding the terminology

A married couple is already a group that is considered a family among people. The tradition of uniting people into smaller groups than clans or tribes has a long history.

Since this phenomenon is comprehensive and fundamental, it is studied by various sciences:

sociology;
cultural studies;
ethnography;
social studies.

The family unit in modern society has been somewhat transformed. The thing is that its purpose is no longer just a practical goal - reproduction of offspring. This phenomenon can be considered both as a social institution as a whole and as a small group.

Not so long ago, a couple of decades ago, several generations could live under one roof at once, which had a positive effect on the exchange of experience between representatives of different decades. In modern society, the most common nuclear family is a husband and wife with children.

The positive side of this way of living is mobility. Separate generations can meet, spend holidays together, while maintaining their freedom and independence.

The negative aspect of such settlement is the high degree of disunity. Due to the fact that families become smaller, sometimes they include only a man and a woman, the connection both within the clan and with society is lost.

This leads to a number of unfavorable consequences:

the value of marriage is lost;
the continuity of generations is disrupted, and the total nihilism of youth gives rise to dangerous trends;
the preservation and development of humanistic ideals become jeopardized.

Only turning to one's roots can prevent these harmful social phenomena. It is not always possible for grandparents, sons and grandchildren to live in the same house, but it is easy to show the younger generation who their grandfathers were and tell about the history of the family if you have a family book from the Russian House of Genealogy in your library.

By learning about his ancestors, the child will understand that they were the same people with desires, goals and dreams. They will become something more for him than photographs in an album. The baby will learn to perceive immutable values and will keep them in his home in the future.

This is especially important now, since the institution of family in modern society is almost on the verge of extinction. Young people, possessing a high degree of infantilism and an exaggerated value of personal freedom, do not seek to legitimize their relationships.

Traditional small groups are almost a thing of the past, where the value of alliance was paramount. The fact that the important role of the cell has been shaken is evidenced not only by the dynamics of divorces, but also by the commitment of young people to the increasingly popular child-free philosophy, that is, to the desire to live for oneself, without thinking about procreation.

This circumstance leads to the fact that nuclear unions, where there is at least one child, are replacing childless ones, for whom such a lifestyle is a conscious choice.

Significance for a child

Why is it believed that a child should grow up and be brought up in a family ?

Mother and father are two important components in the successful formation of personality. They are an example and a guarantee of safety for the child.

He is emotionally attached to them from infancy. Children raised outside the family, for example in orphanages, have a lack of love, which subsequently affects their ability to form relationships with other people.

It is important for a child to instill responsibility towards the family from a very young age, pay attention to the moral side, and the need to take care of loved ones.

This position influences the development of his personal qualities and his ability to create a prosperous and strong family in the future.

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Types of families in modern society

There are a number of criteria by which small groups can be described. Currently, scientists use several bases to describe this group:

the nature of family ties;

amount of children;
method of maintaining a pedigree;
place of residence;
type of leadership.

The traditional union of a man and a woman is now a rarity. And the point here is not only in the general mood and aspirations of girls and boys. Social conditions change, and the structure of the small group is transformed to suit them. Previously, it was a solid fundamental education, where traditions were honored and unquestioned authorities were valued. Nowadays, the small group has become more mobile, and its views have become more loyal. There are even same-sex unions in some countries: Sweden, Holland, Belgium, Canada, Norway.

In modern Russian society, not only the classic composition of the family, but the number of children still prevails. In many ways, how many generations coexist in one home is influenced by material resources, but the trend for a young couple to move away from their parents is becoming increasingly popular.

Nature of family ties

On this basis, sociologists distinguish between nuclear and extended families. The first type represents spouses with children, and the second implies cohabitation with relatives of the wife or husband.

Extended unions were widespread even in Soviet times, not to mention in earlier times. This way of living together taught loyalty, respect for elders, formed true values, and contributed to the preservation of traditions.

Amount of children

Nowadays, many couples refuse to have children at all or strive to raise only one. But due to crisis phenomena in demography, the state itself is pursuing a policy that stimulates the growth of the birth rate. The government has established a certain amount of payments for the second and subsequent children.

According to this criterion, pairs are distinguished:

childless;
small, medium, large families.

Method of maintaining pedigree

In social science, the family in modern society is characterized on one more basis, namely, whose line of inheritance predominates. There are patrilineal (paternal line), matrilineal (maternal line), bilineal (both lines).

Thanks to the equality of both partners, the bilineal tradition of maintaining pedigrees has now been established. It is difficult to take into account all the nuances and intricacies of both lines, but the Russian House of Genealogy will draw up a family tree, connecting two branches, maternal and paternal.

Place of residence

There are three types of cell depending on where the newlyweds choose to stay after the wedding:

patrilocal (live in the house of the husband's parents);
matrilocal (remains with the wife's relatives):
neolocal (moving to new separate housing).

The choice of place of residence depends on the views and traditions that have developed in the family.

Headship type

Sociological scientists distinguish several types of unions based on whose hands the power is concentrated.

patriarchal (father is in charge);
matriarchal (mother is the main one);
egalitarian (equality).

The latter type is characterized by equality. In such a union, decisions are made jointly. Sociologists believe that this type of family is predominant in modern society.

Cell functions

Globally, namely as a social institution, the marriage union helps to take care of the reproduction of the family. It is important for people to find their continuation in another living being. The cyclical nature of life fills it with meaning, and this is largely why we strive to give the best to our children.

Researchers consider the main function of the family in modern society to be reproductive. This approach is considered traditional, because it reflects the way of life of many generations that came before us and will remain after us. After all, this is a natural mechanism.

As a small group, the husband-wife union remains of great importance. It acts as a launching pad - the first team in which a person gets acquainted with the ways of building social relations. It is in the circle of close people that the child learns the norms and rules of human communication and gradually becomes socialized.

In addition to these main functions - reproductive and educational - there are a number of others:

Regulatory. Limits human instincts. Society approves of monogamy and fidelity to one spouse.
Economic. Running a joint household helps a person satisfy his primary needs.
Communicative. The individual needs support and spiritual communication.

Currently, there are some changes in the composition of cell functions in a new type of society. Communication and household services come first.

The family's production function is still strong. Traditionally it is believed that children should be born in marriage. Young people under the age of 18 need material and moral support. During this period, the experience of previous generations is actively absorbed, and the ability to independently make vital decisions is formed. Early marriages, as experts believe, have a high degree of instability and poor implementation of the reproductive function.

What functions of the family have changed in modern society? If earlier it was a utilitarian formation and served only practical purposes - procreation, now alliances are concluded for the sake of support and joint achievement of success, as well as to gain a sense of social security and peace of mind.

The meaning of the family circle

No matter how fate mocks you, no matter what problems you have, you can always turn to your loved ones for support. They will share with you all the hardships and defeats.

Psychologist Daria MilaiMake an appointment

A family environment can be compared to a small world where you are loved immensely, constantly waited for and supported. Here you can forget about everyday affairs and bustle.

When planning and having children, it is necessary to be aware of responsibility, find compromise solutions and promptly resolve all difficulties. You must be an example for your child.

Always put your loved ones first. By focusing more on your career, you risk being lonely and unhappy, thinking too much about money.

Read also: Sample partner card for individual entrepreneurs

Problems of development of a young family and marriage in modern society

The growing number of single mothers, incomplete unions, as well as the increase in the number of children in orphanages - all of this is a serious problem for the development of the family in today's conditions.

The institution of marriage these days is truly in danger of destruction. Sociologists identify three manifestations of the family crisis in modern society.

First and most obvious: civil registry offices still accept hundreds of applications a year, but statistics show a sharp decline in the number of marriages.
The second crisis phenomenon is that even after several years of marriage, couples decide to end their relationship.
The third sad circumstance: divorced spouses do not marry other partners.

The lack of desire to have children in many marriages carries with it many potential demographic difficulties.

Signs

A close circle has many properties:

The decision to marry and have children is made on a voluntary, relaxed basis.
The common things between spouses are: finances, housing, household, cars, valuables.
Joint offspring.
Following the law and properly observing all rights.
The presence of general morality, psychological component and morality.

Trends in family development in modern society

The conditions of our reality force women to actively participate in social and labor activities. Women, like men, run businesses, participate in solving political issues, and master professions that are not typical for them. This leaves an imprint on the presence of some features of recent marriages.

Many career women do not want to sacrifice their time and go on maternity leave to care for a child. Technologies are developing so rapidly that even a week's absence from work can cost a serious setback in terms of development. Therefore, nowadays couples evenly distribute responsibilities around the house and raising a child.

If you have really thought about how the family is changing in modern society, you probably realized that these transformations are significant, even global. The composition of the cell, the role and functions of each individual member become different. But along with negative trends, scientists also highlight advantages. Marriage between a man and a woman is considered as a union that accumulates the achievements of both partners and is concluded for support and joint development. Such a philosophy can give life to a new branch of the family.

Another primary group is formed where a person will learn to love, respect and value relationships.

Proper upbringing can convey, preserve and increase the eternal ideals of goodness, love, the value of human life, the fidelity of spouses, of which there are sometimes so few in our world.

Female needs

A woman strives to build normal family relationships for:

Social status. Awareness of fulfilling your destiny - to become a wife.
A casual conversation with friends. They don't see you as a rival because you're already busy.
Availability of company for visiting and other holidays.
The presence of a permanent assistant. The wife can get rid of the need to carry heavy bags, deal with difficult situations alone, and carry out repairs; these concerns are now placed on the shoulders of a strong husband.
Desire to take care of your appearance and figure, develop culinary skills. Every representative of the fair sex appreciates compliments.
Completion of the active search for a partner. You no longer have to waste valuable time finding the perfect companion - you already have one.
Prolongation of the family. For the good and full development of a child, two parents are needed - mom and dad.
Shows of tenderness, care and love. After all, these are the only feelings we experience for our soulmate.
Joint development and implementation. A common intellectual level, the same views on the world, and the desire for self-realization are ideal components of family happiness.
Household comfort. All expenses are divided in half.
Availability of support, protection and support.