THE FAMILY

Every individual has a family.

The family is the first group and network that an individual acquires in his/her lifetime. It is a universal institution in a
society. However, every family is different from the other. A family varies from one culture to another.

Schaefer (2009) described the family as a set of people connected by blood, marriage or adoption. The members of the
family share a responsibility for the reproduction and protection of the members of a society.

According to Schaefer, the major functions of a family are the following:

1. to provide a place to rear children

2. to provide a sense of belonging among its members

3. to create the identity of an individual

4. to transmit culture to the next generations

Another important function of the family is child-rearing. The family is the group that takes care of the biological, economic,
educational, and even the emotional needs of the children. The family develops or provides the personal identity of the child. The
societal values, norms, traditions, as well as the rich cultural heritage of the society are partially transmitted to the young people
within the family context

Child-rearing practices are different, depending on the society or the level of economic progress. For example, in
Singapore or in Japan, having a child is expensive because of the high cost of living, education and medical services. Add the
heavy emotional responsibility, since most of the parents are dual career parents; they do not have enough time for their children.
This you will notice is why the number of children in industrialized economies is dwindling over the last two or three generations.
The challenge now is to legislate or provide a mechanism to encourage couples to bear children. However, in the Philippines, this
is not the case. For many Filipinos, children are the source of happiness and the fulfillment of a family.

The Philippine Government, being the highest authority of all Philippine societies, has a responsibility to every Filipino
family. According to the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the Family is the basic autonomous social institution that should be
protected and strengthened by the state.

TYPES OF FAMILIES

Every family is a complicated set of people. It is far different from many people's common idea of a family Being
composed of a couple and their children.

What many people conceive as the idea of family is the family nucleus.

According to the United Nations (UN), a family nucleus may be one of the following:

1. a married couple without children

2. a married couple with one or more unmarried children

3. a father with one or more unmarried children

4. a mother with one or more unmarried children

Once the child of the couple marries another person or conceives a child of his/her own, the ch ild forms his/her own
family nucleus.

Families are classified into different types, depending on the residence of a family nucleus. If only one family nucleus
lives in a residence, it is classified as a nuclear family.

other socially acceptable nuclear families are a never-married family (unmarried couple with one or more unmarried
children);a separated family (separated couple with children); a same-sex parent family (un)married couple with one or more
unmarried, biological/foster children).
 Many nuclear families have relatives who live in a different residence. Although the members of the nuclear family have
maintained contacts with these relatives, their interactions are often less frequent. Sociologists call this group isolated nuclear
families.

Another type of family is the extended family . As the name suggests, an extended family is composed of two or more
blood-related family nuclei. The family has a matrifocal structure if they involve women like female grandparent, female parent,
or female children. On the other hand, patrifocal family structure focuses on men.

An extended family can be subdivided into two more types. A vertically extended family pertains to a family which
consists of three generations-grandparent(s), parent(s) and child(ren). On the other hand, horizontally extended family is
composed of two or more family nuclei, of whom the oldest members belong to the generation of the parents. A family with
uncles, aunts, parents, children, and cousins living in the same residence is an example of a horizontally extended family.

With time, the institution of family has transformed in many ways. The prevalence of separated couples with children
who remarry paved the way to the formation of reconstituted families.

A reconstituted family, also known as blended family, is the constitution of two adults who have children from previous
relationships. Cinderella's family is an example.

II- THE FAMILY

FAMILY AND HOUSEHOLD

People often jumble the terms “family” and “household.” a family is different from a household, for the former requires
close relation (by blood or by law) among its members. Household on the other hand, is a term used by census bureaus to refer to
the set of individuals, related or unrelated by blood, who share a common residence.

According to UN, households can be classified into four (4) types: single, nuclear, extended and composite.

In a single household, an individual lives in solitude. being a part of a single household does not necessarily mean that an
individual does not belong in a family. There are many probable reasons for an individual to be in a single household. He/she may
have experienced a death or separation in his/her family or he/she may have personally chosen to be a recluse.

The nuclear household on the other hand, consists of a single family nucleus. A nuclear family without househelpers is
considered as a nuclear household.

Extended household, as what UN defines, is a household consisting of any one of the following:

1. A single family nucleus and other persons related to the nucleus--for example, a father with child(ren) and other relative(s) or
a married couple with other relative(s) only.

2. Two or more family nuclei related to each other without any other persons--for example, two or more married couples with
child(ren) only.

3. Two or more family nuclei related to each other plus other persons related to at least one of the nuclei--for example two or
more married couples with other relative(s) only.

4. Two or more persons related to each other, none of whom constitutes a family nucleus.

THE MOST COMPLICATED TYPE OF HOUSEHOLD IS CALLED COMPOSITE HOUSEHOLD, IT CONSISTS OF ANY OF
THE FOLLOWING:

1. A single family nucleus plus other persons, some of whom are related to the nucleus and some of whom are not, for example,
mother with child(ren) and other relatives and nonrelatives.

2. A single family nucleus plus other persons, none of whom is related to the nucleus--for example, father with child(ren) and
nonrelatives.

3. Two or more family nuclei related to each other plus other persons, some of whom are related to each other plus other persons,
some of whom are related to at least one of the nuclei and some of whom are not related to any of the nuclei--for example, two or
more couples with other relatives and nonrelatives only.
4. Two or more family nuclei related to each other plus other person, none of whom is related to any of the nuclei--for example,
two or more married couples, one or more of which with child(ren) and nonrelatives.

5. Two or more family nuclei not related to each other, with or without any other person.

6. Two or more persons related to each other but none of whom constitute a family nucleus, plus other unrelated persons.

7. Nonrelated persons only.

MIDTERM PERIOD

WHAT ARE FAMILY STRUCTURES?

The definition of a Family has changed and continues to change as lifestyles, social norms, and standards are also
shifting. The simplest definition of what a family is according to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary is “a group of individuals
living under one roof and usually under one head,” which may also be the definition of what a household is. From a Sociological
point of view, Filipino sociologist Belen T.G. Medina PhD (Medina 2001)., defined family as “two or more persons who share
resources, share responsibility for decisions, share values and goals, and have a commitment to each other over time.

Medina’s definition of a family practically encompasses all kinds of family relational variations, such as the nuclear
family, the single parent family, the extended family, and the childless family. The nuclear or traditional family is comprised of
a father, a mother, and their offspring/s. usually, the father in the traditional family plays the role of the breadwinner while the
mother stays at home to manage the house and the children. Contemporary lifestyles are changing this traditional set-up, with the
reversal of roles between the mother and the father. We now have the families where the mother is the breadwinner, while the
father, also called as “househusband”, manage the home. Another variation of the traditional family is where both husband and
wife are working and earning a living for the family while entrusting their growing child or children to hired caregivers or
relatives. Adopted children are also considered as part of the nuclear or traditional family.

In contrast to the two-income or traditional household, there is the single parent who rears the child or children while
earning for the offspring/s. this single parent who rears the child or children while earning for the offspring/s. this single parent,
may be supported by relatives or hired caregivers to take care of the growing children, which is now a common occurrence in
many Asian countries such as Singapore and Hong Kong. A Filipino single parent may be assisted financially by the parents or
relatives. Sometimes, the single parent will decide on cohabiting partner may not necessarily reside with the single parent and the
child.

The extended family is a very common family arrangement found in many parts of the world and most particularly in
Asia. The extended family the nuclear family plus the parent of either the husband or the wife, or both their parents, depending on
the arrangements they make. Sometimes, a single brother or sister of either one of the couple may also be part of the extended
family. If there is a need for household help, the first option is to seek out a poorer relative from the provinces to serve the
family’s needs. In an extended family, there could exist some friction when it comes to making decisions. Traditionally, the man of
the house is the breadwinner and often makes most of the decisions related to family affairs. However, with the presence of the
couple’s parents, the decision-maker may vary at times.

The childless family is just the couple without any child or children, and who maybe living all by themselves. They may
or may not have household help assisting around the house.

As society progresses and diversity is more acknowledged by many, new variations of the basic family structures are
surfacing, such as interracial marriages, adoptive families, and lately, same sex marriages. More and more countries are allowing
same-sex marriages today, and more states in the US are following what is becoming a norm.

ASSIGNMENT: (Be ready to discuss your answer next meeting.)

II - DESCRIBE THE FAMILY STRUCTURE YOU HAVE AT HOME.

INFLUENCE OF FAMILY STRUCTURE ON THE ADOLESCENT

The family is considered the first place where growing children learn their basic social skills. The interaction and quality
of relationship between parent and child are said to determine the child’s future relationships as he or she matures toward
adulthood.

Family influences may vary based on the family structure present in the home. For the nuclear or traditional family, the
values, social skills, and behavior are directly learned from the parents (and/or primary care givers). these are expressed in their
unique parenting styles, the nature of parental authority they practice, and the general atmosphere at home. For a single parent
family, the absence of one parent (either the father or the mother), may create an impact on the growing child who would normally
look up to authority as role models. Oftentimes, single parents try to become both the mother and the father, or may seek out a
relative (usually of the opposite sex of the single parents manages the child, he or she may grow up well-adjusted or problematic.

Extended families have both positive and negative influences on the child, on the one hand, the presence of different
generations within a home provides the child a sense of stability in relationships as he or she witnesses firsthand how relationships
can work and endure challenges, and to see a continuum in the family line. The presence of grandparents also provides the child a
sense of anchoring or rooting to the family’s history: thus enabling the child to appreciate family heritage and traditions. On the
other hand, the presence of grandparents may create some confusion to a child, particularly when the biological parents may adopt
a parenting style that is opposite that of the grandparents. This happens, for example, when a parent would like to teach a child the
value of money or to delay gratification. Doting grandparents would often pamper and give in to a grandchild’s whims as
compensation for what they perceive as their own shortcomings when they themselves were still parents.

III - PARENTAL AUTHORITY AND PARENTING STYLES

Authoritative parenting is a key factor in the psychosocial development of an adolescent, and it is believed to foster a
healthy and positive impact on the adolescent’s development. Authoritative parents are those who insist on their child learning
important values, norms, and rules, but are also willing to sit down to listen and negotiate with them should they resist. A parent
wielding behavioral control over a child such as providing curfews during weekends or limited time for the child to be online is
believed to develop better adjusted children.
 Authoritative parenting is about exercising control over a child’s behavior but not the child’s beliefs, and self-concept.
This psychological control imposed by a parent on a child through emotional manipulations or the withdrawal of love and caring
can harm the child’s psychological development and mental health.

Parents of adolescents need to understand the challenges involved in their development, such as their struggle for
independence and self-autonomy, the formation of their identity and roles, and learning the value of fidelity in the process.

Parents can serve as the models their adolescents can emulate while at the same time supporting their development
toward young adulthood.

FAMILY HEREDITY

When you look around the members of your family, you might have observed certain physical similarities that exist
among yourself, your siblings, and your parents. There are some characteristics that are influenced by heredity, and even by the
environment.

Intelligence is another thing that is passed on due to heredity, but is also due to other factors like brain size and structure,
and the compilation of many genes resulting to intelligence. Of course, there are environmental factors that can affect intelligence
such as proper nutrition during pregnancy and childhood.

Some believe that personality traits can also be learned through observation. A child may imitate a calm and retrospective
parent in the same way that a child may imitate an agitated and irritable parent.

SEMI-FINAL PERIOD

GENOGRAM