Nature and Purpose of Families

• Family


  A group consisting of parents and their children living together
• Family


  All the descendants (relatives) of a common ancestor
• Factors that determine types of families

  • Different combinations of people in the family
  • The process through which each person became part of the family
• Types of families


  • One parent and children
  • Adoption
• Single-Parent Family


  • A family made up of one parent (father or mother) and children
• Nuclear Family (Nucleus)


  • A family made up of two parents (father[s] and/or mother[s]) and children
• Extended Family


  • A family that extends beyond just parents and their children by including other relatives such as aunts and uncles, grandparents, nieces and nephews
• Step Family


  • A family in which at least one of the partners is acting as a step-parent
• Reconstituted Family (a.k.a Blended Family)


  • A family consisting of a couple, the children they have had together, and their children from previous relationships living together
• Childless Family


  • A couple without children
• Types of families learned

  • Single-Parent Family
  • Nuclear Family (Nucleus)
  • Extended Family
  • Step Family
  • Reconstituted Family (a.k.a Blended Family)
  • Childless Family
• Purposes of families


  • Procreation
  • Religious Upbringing
  • Education
  • Socialisation
  • Stability
• Family as protection for vulnerable members of society


  • Belonging
  • Aid
  • Protection for vulnerable
  • Peace for Society
• Most Christians and Muslims believe that the purpose of the family is to: Procreate and provide for children, Educate children in a faith, Allow holistic health for family members, Constancy in society, Encircle and protect children
• Christian views on the ideal family and the role of parents and children

  • Nuclear or extended family ideal
  • Spouses should love each other
  • Parents should love their children and teach them to know right from wrong
  • Raise the children within the faith
  • Children should listen to parents
  • Love should be at the heart of family life
• Ephesians 5:22: 'Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.'
• Ephesians 5:25: 'Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it.'
• Ephesians 6.1: 'Children, it is your Christian duty to obey your parents, for this is the right thing to do.'
• Colossians 3.21: 'Parents, do not irritate your children, or they will become discouraged.'
• Islamic views see the extended family as the basis of Muslim society (no same-sex families)
• Islamic views on the role of parents and children

  • Fathers provide
  • Mothers look after the home
  • Parents teach moral values and religion
  • Children must respect their parents
  • Children must care for their elderly parents
• Surah 17:23: 'And your Lord has commanded that you shall not serve any but Him, and goodness to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say not to them so much as "Ugh" nor chide them, and speak to them a generous word'
• Secular (Humanist) view: "Actions are right as they tend to promote happiness." (Utilitarianism, John Mill)
• Humanist response to "Children shouldn't be raised by same sex parents"


  A homosexual couple may really want to be parents and it may promote happiness to allow it. Allowing same-sex couples to adopt will help children who do not have parents.
• Humanist response to "Women should submit to their husbands and have a traditional role raising children"

  A woman may want to do something else and will be restricted, which takes her right to freedom. Plus, society can be better if women took up roles working outside of the home.
• Humanist response to "The nuclear or extended family is the ideal family"


  Sometimes divorce is the better option because of conflict, violence or abuse so a single parent household may be more idyllic than the nuclear or extended family.