Functions of the Family

 Socialization is the
process by which
children learn to
become human and
adopt certain
behavior.

 The early
socialization of
children is almost
 Several studies have
shown that without
socialization children will
not automatically learn to
speak, read, write, and
have normal human
functions and feelings.
 There have also been
several of these children
found in recent history
which have proven this.
These children were
incapable to communicate
 Parents and siblings alike
play key roles in the
development of new
children within a family.
 Speaking, morals, values
and culture are all instilled
by the family
(predominantly the
parents, but also siblings).

 Communication is vital
 At one time, children were
seen as a source of labor to
be used on the farm, or to
be sent off to factories to
work to help provide for
the family.
 As times changed, and we
became a more affluent
society, this trend began to
dwindle.
 Children now are expected
to go to, and graduate high
school and then move on
to secondary education or
  Boomerang Generation is
one of several terms applied
to the current generation of
young adults in Western
culture, born approximately
between 1975 and 1986.
They are so named for the
frequency with which they
choose to cohabitate with
their parents after a brief
period of living alone - thus
boomeranging back to their
place of origin. This
cohabitation can take many
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_4081.aspx
forms, ranging from
situations http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boomerang_Generation
that mirror the
 Simply stated this is the
process of individuals
having children and
creating new families.
 Birth rates are declining
in the Western world.
 In Canada we have a
rapidly aging population
(Baby Boomers) and rely
on immigrants to bring
down the median age.
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/0610 26/dq061026b-eng.htm
 A healthy sexual relation is
also pivotal between the
parents within a family.
 At one time, a wife would
have expected to constantly
be pregnant throughout the
marriage (until menopause).
 Now, with modern
contraceptives this is not
nearly as common.
However, what was once a
major reason not to have
extra-marital affairs, these
contraception’s now
 Psychologists argue that
the emotional support
within families is a huge
function of the family as
well.
 Without this support,
children may end up
with possible mental
health issues.
 The Canadian Mental
Health Association
estimates that 20% of
Canadians will
 In pairs, read pages 6-12 and answer
questions 1- 4 on page 12.
 We will then have a class discussion
about the questions and you will be
asked as groups to provide your answers.