Name: Kariuki stephen njeru

Reg No: A13/08387/22

Course: Sociology 204

Date: 09/02/2024

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FUNCTIONS OF A FAMILY

In many African societies, families play central and multifaceted roles. Let’s dive deep in some of those examples.

1. Social cohesion and support

 Solidarity: African families often work as a network of solidarity and reciprocal support.provide
emotional and practical assistance during times of need.
 Extended family: Families in Africa are typically extended, encompassing not only parents and
children but also grandparents, aunties, uncles and cousins. These extended networks offer a safety
net for members. Example, when one member of the family falls ill and a huge bill is needed for
treatment; the family members gather and collect together the money needed.
2. Economic functions
 Productive work: Families engage in productive work, including domestic chores, farming, and
other income generating activities. Often these tasks are shaped by gender and generational
hierarchies within the family. Example, cooking and other home chores were done by women
whereas activities such as herding was done by boys and men.
 Resources sharing: Families pool resources to meet basic needs, such as food, shelter, and
education.

3. Child Rearing and Education

 Productive work: Families are responsible for raising and nurturing children. Grandparents,
especially grandmothers, often step in to take care for orphaned children due to HIV epidemic and
other challenges.
 Education: Families prioritize education, passing down knowledge and cultural values to younger
generations. Example: Grandmothers teach their grandchildren how to cook and how to behave
when married.
4. Cultural transmission
 Preserving traditions: Families serve as repositories of cultural heritage, passing down customs,
languages and rituals. Example, parents teach their children their mothertongue language so as the
language may not die and continue down many generations.
 Socialization: Elders teach children about societal norms, ethics, and their roles within the
community.

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5. Emotional well-being
 Emotional support: Families provide emotional comfort, companionship, and a sense of belonging.
Example, if a member of the family dies, the others left take it upon themselves to comfort the
widow or the widower.
 Coping mechanism: During crises (such as health emergencies or conflict), families rally together
to cope and find resilience.
6. Recreational functions
 All members together organize family feasts, visiting families, organizing family picnics and hikes
for solely the purpose of enjoyment and good times.
7. Stable functions of sexual needs
 This is the most essential function of a family. Family has been performing this function since the
inceptions of human civilization. It is a well-known fact that sex urge is the most important and
powerful instinct and natural urge of human being. It is the primary duty of family to satisfy the
sexual urge of its members in a stable and desirable way.
8. Procreation and rearing of children
 Necessary arrangement of stable satisfaction of sexual urge resulted in procreation. Family provides
the legitimate basis for production of children. It institutionalizes the process of procreation. By
performing this function of procreation family contributes to the continuity of family and ultimately
human race. Hence perpetuation of human race is the most important function of a family.

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 CHALLENGES FACING THE MODERN FAMILY
1) Health emergencies
 The HIV epidemic has disrupted family structures leading to an increase in child-and youth-
headed households where older siblings or grandparents care for younger family members.
 Chronic illnesses like HIV, Ebola, and Covid-19 strain family resources and caregiving capacities.
2) Urbanization and migration:
 Urbanization often separates family members due to work opportunities. Families must navigate
long distances and maintain connections.
 Migration (both internal and international) can fracture family bonds and create emotional
strain.
3) Economic challenges:
 Poverty: Many African families face chronic poverty affecting their ability to provide basic
necessities.
 Unemployment: High unemployment rates impact family stability and well-being.
4) Gender dynamics:
 Patriarchy: African family systems often exhibit strong patriarchal norms affecting women’s
autonomy and decision-making.
 Polygamy: The practice of polygamy can lead to complex family dynamics and resource
allocation.
5) Conflict and displacement:
 Civil conflicts: Wars and political instability disrupt families, leading to displacement
and trauma.
 Climate change: Environmental changes force families to adapt and sometimes
relocate.

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References
Goode, W.J. (1959) “The Sociology of the Family” in sociology today ed R.K. Merton, L. Broom, and
L.S. Cortell (New York basic books)
Lystra, K. (1989) searching the heart: Women, men and romantic love in nineteenth-century America
(New York; Oxford University press)
Murdock, G. (1949) social structure (New York Free Press)
Parsons, T. (1943) “the Kinship system of the contemporary United states” in American-
Anthropologists 45:22-28
Rubin, L.B. (1976) Words of pain: life in the working-class family (New York basic books)