UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, JAMAICA

FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND LIBERAL STUDIES

INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

Tutorial Discussion – The Family

1. Sociologist George Peter Murdock defined family as; “a social group

characterized by common residence, economic cooperation and
reproduction. It includes adult of both sexes, at least two of whom
maintain a socially approved sexual relationship, and one or more
children, own or adopted, of the sexually co-habiting adults.”
Based on your readings and knowledge of the Caribbean family, discuss
with examples four (4) possible criticisms of this definition of the family.

1. Describe four (4) functions of the family and discuss whether or not a
single parent family can perform these roles as effectively as the nuclear
family.