Doman 1 Name Surname2 English 101-OCC Dr. Who 12 March 2013 The Family Although the definition of family has changed over the time, the functions of family remain the same Family is the people who claimed you. In good, in bad, in parts or in whole, they are the ones who show up stay in their regardless. It is not just about blood or split of genes, but something much, bigger. However, everyone has their own meaning of family. The ones who shared common characteristics that changed over the time or the ones who has varieties of settings and functions. According to dictionary of sociology family “It consist of more than one person that forms the most intimate and personal groups,” in which people are related to one another by bonds of blood, sexual mating or legal ties like the conjugal family. Sociology Through Literature Lewis Coser points out, “family is among the few universal institutions of mankind” (147). In the article, “The America Family: Where We Are Today,” Stephanie Coontz remarks, that people in the United States today have higher expectations of parenting and marriage. But, while I was searching and reading all texts written about family, I agree with everyone based in the constant change and the set of factors that contributes the transformation in what is family these days. To be aware of more about the sequence of alteration on families I will discuss some issues regarding their different roles, conflicts and solutions. Scientific studies showed that family born in the mid-nineteenth centuries takes an institutional form in the society that is traditional. In which the family is subjected to the economy and becomes a productive company, where does not export goods or merchandize but consumes food, housing, health and many other things. However, family is being affected by Carabajal 2 inflation and joblessness forming an imbalance in the ones who maintain the house and those who contribute to it; whether parents, children or relatives. As a result, for some families means to stop doing things that were used to do before like going on vacation or eating out. Also, could implicate to use their savings like emergency funds, retirement funds or educational funds. Mean while, for other families means to move to a smaller or less expensive house or just to look for a second job. But instead of finding a solution many families don't know how to handle the situation and tends to discuss more as they worries about trying to solve the problem. Therefore, it is very important communication between all members of the household to improve their needs. However, the financial responsibility sometimes lies in a single member of the house. Focused on a moralistic perspective where the family subordination was the wife to the husband on her role as companion and mother. “In ancient times, for example, a marriage meant a condition in which a woman was given to a man almost as property” (The Marriage). In which, the fami ...

1. Doman 1
Name Surname2
English 101-OCC
Dr. Who
12 March 2013
The Family
Although the definition of family has changed over the time, the
functions of family remain the same
Family is the people who claimed you. In good, in bad, in
parts or in whole, they are the ones who show up stay in their
regardless. It is not just about blood or split of genes, but
something much, bigger. However, everyone has their own
meaning of family. The ones who shared common
characteristics that changed over the time or the ones who has
varieties of settings and functions. According to dictionary of
sociology family “It consist of more than one person that forms
the most intimate and personal groups,” in which people are
related to one another by bonds of blood, sexual mating or legal
ties like the conjugal family. Sociology Through Literature
Lewis Coser points out, “family is among the few universal
institutions of mankind” (147). In the article, “The America
Family: Where We Are Today,” Stephanie Coontz remarks, that
people in the United States today have higher expectations of
parenting and marriage. But, while I was searching and reading
all texts written about family, I agree with everyone based in
the constant change and the set of factors that contributes the
transformation in what is family these days. To be aware of
more about the sequence of alteration on families I will discuss
some issues regarding their different roles, conflicts and
solutions.
Scientific studies showed that family born in the mid-
nineteenth centuries takes an institutional form in the society
that is traditional. In which the family is subjected to the
economy and becomes a productive company, where does not

2. export goods or merchandize but consumes food, housing,
health and many other things. However, family is being affected
by
Carabajal 2
inflation and joblessness forming an imbalance in the ones who
maintain the house and those who contribute to it; whether
parents, children or relatives. As a result, for some families
means to stop doing things that were used to do before like
going on vacation or eating out. Also, could implicate to use
their savings like emergency funds, retirement funds or
educational funds. Mean while, for other families means to
move to a smaller or less expensive house or just to look for a
second job. But instead of finding a solution many families
don't know how to handle the situation and tends to discuss
more as they worries about trying to solve the problem.
Therefore, it is very important communication between all
members of the household to improve their needs. However, the
financial responsibility sometimes lies in a single member of
the house.
Focused on a moralistic perspective where the family
subordination was the wife to the husband on her role as
companion and mother. “In ancient times, for example, a
marriage meant a condition in which a woman was given to a
man almost as property” (The Marriage). In which, the family
roles were based on different factors such as laws, public
opinion, tradition and rigid discipline imposed by the husband
head of the family. However, the woman of this century was
strongly associated with home and family. Her responsibilities’
were the domestic organization and farm work. As well as, the
care and attention of her husband in an atmosphere of obedience
and submission. In relation to their children, the protection,
upbringing and education. In fact, all her functions were
associated with the role of mother and wife. While on the other
hand, the husband responsibilities’’ were the care and
protection of the wife in tone of authority. In relation to their
children he puts the educational strength and rigidity. Besides

3. the house, the public, work and the economic maintenance of
the household, the gender responsibilities was a clear rule in
those ancient times.
After all, in the mid-twentieth century the family changed in
many terms, mentality, values, level of culture and the equal
rights between men and women, the laws were modifying and
creating a modern family in an accelerated society. Absolutely,
“Over the past decades, women
Carabajal 3
have played a role of growing importance in the labor force”
(165). As a result, these changes not only were drastic but
affected the family functions in which working mothers are
facing more expectations on personal satisfaction than home.
On the other hand, “Fathers in intact families are spending more
time with their children at any point in the past 100 years,”
becoming a positive impact on children’s welfare.
In addition, during the different stages of family
development, the family faces various critical moments, like the
difficulties in adjusting to the change of role. Consequently, the
structure of the family change in compared to the previous
structure. But, if it's not well organized tends to create conflicts
between partners and rather than seeking for a solution like
creating plans between man and women to cope the housework,
improve communication or look for family assistance to meet
the needs of each individual, instead, only a minority faces the
situation.
"But couples today have to work to keep their marriages
healthy and mutually fulfilling," (282). All these changes can
contribute to the maturation, development and growth of the
family system. In contrast, the idea of not facing these conflicts
can result traumatic, unpleasant and catastrophic as a total
breakdown of the family structure.
On the other hand, according to Family Groups and Systems
“in this country, most of the states, traditionally at least, grant a
divorce if it is shown that one party has gravely violated his or
her marital obligations.” (397). The reasons for the divorce can

4. be many because families spend less time together, the self-
sufficiency of women from men, unfaithful behavior, etc. The
cost of separation can be devastating and may last for many
years depending on how the marriage was characterized. In
contrast, the ones more affected are the children because they
formed a vital part of the unification of the marriage and they
will tend to have problems on his or her adolescence. Still,
there are many options that should be taken into account before
this hard determination and could be avoided if only the couple
can be reconciled by a family therapy
Carabajal 4
or family counseling. In addition, it is important to know how to
handle this situation to decrease the negative effects on children
and family, as well as the healthy relationship after divorce.
Rothenberg E. Celia said that “As parents they were determined
not to let their children suffer for mistakes they may have made
in their marriage”. (187).
In conclusion, now a days marriage and family are becoming
more superficial for different situations such as economy, lack
of communication and the economy in which has an influence in
this expensive society in which ever all contribute to family fall
apart easily. However, I am convinced that family has strengths
and good attitude that are important in order to resolve any
circumstances. As a result, we as adults should know how to
deal with any situation where family is involved. Whatever, will
help to be strong and make our families more prepare to the
future.

5. Doman 5
Work Cited
“The American Family: Where We Are Today.” The American
Family: Where We Are Today. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2013.
FRANCIS, By JOHN BERMAN (@johnsherman) and ENJOI.
“What Makes a Family? Children, Say Many Americans.” ABC
News. ABC New Network, 15 Sept. 2010. Web. 11 Mar. 2013.
“Applying Applied Sociology in the Family.” Sociology and
Your Family. N.p, n.d. Web. 3 Mar. 2013.
Belkin, Lisa. “Modern Family” Is Us?” Motherlode Modern
Family Is Us Comments. The New York Time, n.d. Web. 11
Mar. 2013.
Marshall, Gordon. “Family, Sociology of.” Encyclopedia.com.
A Dictionary of Sociology, 1998. Web. 3 Mar. 2013.
“What Is The Definition Of Marriege?” The Labor Of Love
Articles What Is The Definition Of Marriage N.p. n.d. Web. 3
Mar. 2013.
Stubbs, Marcia, and Sylvan Barnet.” The Family.” The little,
Brown Reader. Boston: Lit,le, Brown: 1997. 143-44. Print.
Young, Mitchell.”More Families Depend on Working Mothers.”
Work and Family. Detroit, MI: Greenhaven, 2012 – 165. Print.
.