Polytechnic University Of The Philippines

College Of Architecture, Design, And The Built Environment

Department of Architecture
Sta. Mesa, Manila

ASSESSMENT C: ESSAY

GEED 20033

Gender and Society

Dela Rosa, Paul Angel S.

BS Architecture 4-2

Prof. Leonila R. Medina

May 21, 2023

 Polytechnic University Of The Philippines
College Of Architecture, Design, And The Built Environment
Department of Architecture
Sta. Mesa, Manila

Assessment C: Write a 700-word essay explaining the connection between family

characteristics and social experiences. Give examples.

Family is the basic unit of society and it is considered as a primary social institution in

which people learn the fundamental values, beliefs and manners that will influence their

interpersonal intelligence as they grow. It also where the talents of the child grow and where

their skills are first nurtured and to be supported by the parents. The way they socialize with

others will be affected by the environment they grow up with, so a good environment allows a

more positive outlook towards the world and will encourage the child to make friendships that

will last for long years.

One distinct characteristic of a family is about it being universal. Family is found in every

phases of the society, may it be starting or ending as it is also found everywhere. Some culture

may be different from one another but the fact that it will never disappear in any type of society

means it can also be considered as the universal social institution. Knowing this, it is natural that

people think everyone has their own family to go home to, and sometimes, this can serve as a

blueprint in preserving friendships and promote a sense of belonging to others. On the other

hand, some people may experience hardships due to their own family, making it a source of

their discord. It is important to note their experiences in mind before making a move on this

topic.

Another distinct characteristic of a family is that a family is a mating relationship.

Biologically, mating is needed to complete the members of a family, husband, wife and progeny.

But engaging in a sexual relationship makes each other a family, the ones engaging in this type

of relationship must be the husband and the wife. Sexual needs are one of the most important

needs that can be fulfilled by both man and woman, and it can last short or a lifetime. People

have been embedded by the idea that at the right age, sex is an essential need as they grow
 Polytechnic University Of The Philippines
College Of Architecture, Design, And The Built Environment
Department of Architecture
Sta. Mesa, Manila

up. By that way, they can see sex as a special moment that is done by two people due to their

love, such as doing it after married, but it can also be seen by some as a form of pleasure, one

example is engaging with “friends with benefits” relationship. Depending on their outlook, it can

change how they interact with others in their single life and how they will be interacting with their

husband or wife.

Then another characteristic is the family having a system of nomenclature. Every family

is differentiated by their name in which a new member takes in the name of their family. In our

country, this name is known as the surname. Some people take in the surname of their husband

or wife or combining them both by putting their surnames together but separated by a dash. In

the USA, instead of the term surname, they use family name instead, but essentially speaking, it

is still the same on how they work. Because of this, descent may be clearly identified into types;

depending on whose name will they take, either on the husband or wife. It may be patrilineal, in

which the descent is identified mainly through the father, or it may be matrilineal, which the

descent is identified through the mother. In a social setting, the map of descent is very wide in

which the members of the family is not clearly identified, that’s why when people meet someone

with the same surname as they have, they instantly form a connection and cause them to

interact more nicely to one another.

There are many characteristics in which a family can be described and all of it has an

implication in the social life of a person. Knowing it is important because it allows one to be

more conscious in the way they interact with others. It can minimize the cause of disputes and

lead to peace.