The document discusses the social institution of the family. It defines a family as a group united by blood, marriage, or adoption that provides care for its members. The document outlines different types of families including nuclear, extended, as well as theories about family structure and functions. It also describes stages in family life like courtship, child-rearing and later life. The document discusses transitions families face such as divorce and alternative family forms including single-parent households, cohabitation, and same-sex couples. It concludes by looking at emerging issues facing families in the future.

2. Presenters:
 AYESHA
 KHADIJA
 AAMNA IQBAL
 SEERAT MUSTAFA
 MUNIBA ZULFIQAR

3. SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS “THE FAMILY”

4. what a social institution is?
 It is a social structure and social mechanism of social order and corporation that
governs the behavior of its members.
 It is a group of social positions connected by social relations, performing a social
role.
 Any institution in the society that works to socialize the group of people in it.

5. So, what exactly is a family ?
 A group of people either by blood, marriage or adoption.
 A social institution that unites individuals into cooperative groups that care for one
another, including any children.
 People with or without legal blood ties who feel they belong together.
 Definitions varies from society to society.
 Definition can change over time.
Family ties are
also called
kinship .

6. Types of Family :
 Nuclear Family :Family structure
comprised of parent(s) and children.
 Extended Family :Family structure
comprised of parents and children as well
as other kins.

7. Marriage: A legal relationship, usually involving economic
cooperation, sexual activities and childbearing.
Types of Marriage
Endogamy
b/w people of
same social
category.
Exogamy
b/w people of
different social
categories.
Monogamy
That unites two
partners.
Polygamy
That unites a
person with two or
more spouses.
Polygyny
(many women)
Polyandry
(many men)

8. Residential Patterns
Patrilocality(place of the
father )
 A residential pattern in which a
married couple lives with or near
the husband’s family .
Matrilocality(place of the
mother )
 A residential pattern in which a
married couple lives with or near
the wife’s family .
Neolocality (new place )
 A residential pattern in which a
married couple lives apart from
both sets of parents .

9. Descent: The system by which members of a society trace
kinship over generations.
Patrilinear descent
 A system tracing kinship through
men.
Matrilinear descent
 A system tracing kinship through
women .
Bilateral descent (
Two sided descent )
 A system tracing kinship through
both men and women .

10. THEORIES OF FAMILY

11. Structural-Functional Theory:
 According to this approach, family performs many vital tasks, for this reason the
family is often called the “backbone” of the society .

12. Functions of Family :
 Regulation of sexual activity
 Social placement
 Socialization
 Material and emotional security

13. Social Conflict and Feminist Theories :
This approach basically points out how this family perpetuates social inequality .
 Property and inheritance
 Patriarchy
 Race and Ethnicity

14. Micro-Level Theories Constructing Family
Life

15. Symbolic-Interaction Theory
 When family members share many
activities over time, they develop strong
emotional bonds .
Social-Exchange Theory
 This theory describes courtship and
marriage as form of negotiation .

16. In patriarchal societies, gender roles dictates elements of exchange
 Men bring wealth and power to marriage
 Women bring beauty

17. STAGES IN FAMILY LIFE
 COURTSHIP
 SETTLING IN
 CHILD REARING
 THE FAMILY IN LATER LIFE

18. Courtship: The period of developing a relationship with an
eye toward marriage or long-term partnership.
 Low and middle income countries.
 Culturally compatible.
 Effect of industrialization.
 Romantic Love.
 Homogamy: marriage between the people of same social characteristics.

19. Settling In:
 “Happily ever after”
 Passion
 Infidelity
 Sexual activity outside one’s marriage

20. Child Rearing:
 Life’s greatest joy.
 Preindustrial societies.
 Liability.
 No. of children.
 Traditionalists vs progressives.

21. The Family in Later Life:
 After sixties.
 “Empty Nest”
 Caregiving to grandchildren.
 “Sandwich generation”
 Death of spouse.

22. TRANSITIONS AND PROBLEMS IN
FAMILY LIFE

24. Divorce: Dissolution of marriage.
 Individualism is on the rise.
 Romantic love fades.
 Women are less dependent on men.
 Today’s marriages are stressful.
 Socially acceptable.
 Legally, easier to get.

25. Divorce and children:
 Custody.
 Financial support.

26. Family Violence:
 Violence against women.  Violence against children.

27. Alternative Family Forms
 ONE PARENT FAMILIES
 COHABITATION
 GAY LESBIAN COUPLES
 SINGLEHOOD

28. One Parent Families: It consist of single mother or
father as a result of divorce or death of other partner.
 Disadvantages to children:
 Child get less attention.
 Less schooling.
 Risk of poverty.

29. Cohabitation: Sharing of household by an unmarried
couple.
 Independency of mind.
 It favors gender equality.
 Decision about the future(after 3 or 4 years).

30. Gay and Lesbian Couples: Registered
partnership with benefits of marriage of same sex couples.
 Equal advantages in inheritance, taxation and joint property ownership.
 Laws .
 Court declared it as a legal.

31. Singlehood: Is often defined as the state of being
unmarried.
 Fundamental problems in marriage.
 Freedom to grow.
 Self-sufficiency.
 Expanded friendships.
 Poor communication with spouse.
 Career opportunities.

32. New Reproductive Technologies and
Families
 “Test tube babies”
 Advantages:
 Allow couples to have children.
 Reduce birth defects.
 Increased odds of having healthy baby.
 Disadvantages:
 Who is the mother ?
 Divorce.
 Should parents use genetic screening ?

33. Families: Looking ahead
 Divorce rate.
 Diversity of family life.
 Child rearing and men.
 Economic changes.
 Reproductive Technologies.

35. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND
ATTENTION