Social Institutions: FamilyInstitution: the organized ways society develops to meet its basic needs.

“Any combination of two or more persons who are bound together

over time by ties of mutual consent, birth and/or adoption or

placement and who, together, assume responsibilities for variant

combinations of some of the following”

Functions of the Family

1. Addition of new members

2. Physical care of members

3. Socialization of children

4. Social control of members

5. Affective nurturance – love

6. Production and consumption of goods and services

- The Vanier Institute of the Family

1) Addition of new members

Families have children

through birth, adoption, and

may also use the help of

fertility clinics

Benefits to Canadian

society:

- increases population

- stronger economy (increased

demand for goods and services)

2) Physical care of

members

Bathing children, feeding family, taking older parents to appointments

Benefits to Canadian society:- Individuals within the

population stay healthy

- Members will be able to contribute to society

3) Socialization of children

Teaching children language, taking them to school, helping with homework, taking children to cultural activities, church, etc.

Benefits to Canadian society:- Individuals will acquire the skills,

knowledge, values, and attitudes consistent with employability and citizenship expectations

- People will be educated, find careers, have their own families, earn money

4) Social control of members

Teaching children right from wrong (discipline and moral development)

Benefits to Canadian Society:- Individuals will obey the laws of society and country

5) Affective nurturance – love

Family members provide emotional comfort and support

Benefits to Canadian society:- Individuals will care for others in society- Individuals will develop strong relationships and raise their own families

6) Production

and consumption of goods and

services

Parents or guardians earn money through work/careers, perform household chores, pay bills, buy food and clothing, provide shelter, pay for activities and services

Benefits to Canadian society:- parents provide for their

families- families contribute to the

economy- families provide goods or

services through skills and employment

- families purchase and consume goods and services