GUESS TODAY’S TOPIC

1. Susan’s mom decided to move her and her siblings to their grandmother’s house.

2. Mark’s parents died last year in a car crash. He was given full responsibility of taking care
of his younger siblings.

3. I live in a very small home with a lot of family members. It’s a little chaotic, but I love
seeing my cousins, aunts and uncles often.

4. My dad got a new job in Port-of-Spain. We had no choice but to move in with his sister.
 THE INDIVIDUAL AND
THE FAMILY

-Terms and concepts associated with ‘family’

-Major functions of the family.
 What is a family?
The family is a basic unit within most human societies.
A family can be defined as a group of people, who shares certain connections and attachments.
In the past, these connections have traditionally been understood to mean that people are related by ‘blood’
Such ‘blood’ relationships are known as kinship.
Typically, members of a family unit, usually share the same residence.
Understanding the so-called ‘traditional family’ allows for comparison with some of the different family types and
unions found across the Caribbean.
Family Terms and Concepts
 Family Types
• Nuclear Family- A family of two parents and their child/children living together.

• Extended Family- A family comprising of more than the nuclear family who lives together.

• Sibling-household- Comprises of brothers and sisters, or brothers only or sisters only.

The older siblings are legally responsible for the younger siblings.

• Single-Parent family- Is a parent who cares for more than one or more child,
without the assistance of the other parent.

• Reconstituted/Blended family- A family where one or both parents have children from a
previous relationship, but they have combined to form a
a new family.
 Family Unions
1. Legal marriage/marriage- A formal, legal relationship between a couple.

TYPES OF MARRIAGES:
• Monogamy- When one man is married to one woman.

• Polyandry- The marriage of one woman to more than one husband at the same
time.

• Polygyny- The marriage of one man to more than one wife at the same time.
 Family Unions
2.Common law/consensual union-This is where a man and a woman
are not married, however, they share a common residence and a sexual
relationship.

3.Visiting relationship- This is where a man and a woman are not

married, do not share a common residence, however they share a sexual
relationship.
 ILLEGAL UNIONS
 Polygamy- The practice of having more than one spouse at
the same time.

 Bigamy- When a person enters into a marriage while they are

still legally married to someone else.
 Types of Residences
 Patrilocal- A family which lives with the father’s family
 Matrilocal- A family living with the mother’s family.
 Matrifocal- The mother has the responsibility of the family.
 Patrifocal- The father has the responsibility of the family.
 Neolocal- This is where the couple moves away from their
family members and live on their own.
 Types of Lineage
Matrilineal- Tracing a person’s descent through the
mother’s family line.

Patrilineal- Tracing a person’s descent through the

father’s family line.
 Laws Related To Divorce
Divorce- When a marriage has legally ended.

Annulment - When a marriage is declared null or void by the

court of law.

Legal Separation- When a couple formally separates in a

court of law.
 Divorce settlements:
Alimony- The money awarded by the court to the spouse.

 Social systems/Social organizations:

Matriarchal - A family in which the mother has the authority.

Patriarchal - A family in which the father has the authority.

 Illegal sexual relations:

Incest- Sexual relations between close members of a family.
 Major Functions Of The Family
1. Procreation/Reproduction: - The family plays an important role in populating the society.

2. Socialization (child rearing): -

- Done by teaching children the accepted behaviours of society.
- Teach them how to perform basic skills and to undertake various responsibilities.

3. Provide economic maintenance: -This is where the adults work to provide the basic needs (food, clothing and
shelter) for their children.
-budgeting:- Teaching family members about the importance of budgeting early on.
-finance and availability of credit:- Keeping track of one’s finances.
-practicing thrifting:- Exercising carefully and sparingly the use of money and other resources and materials.
-Use of technology for financial transactions: Being aware of the different ways to better manage financial transactions.

4. Provides emotional support: - This is where the family satisfies members’ emotional and psychological needs by
making them feel loved, wanted and protected.

5. Regulates sexual behaviour: - This is where the family prohibits sexual relationships between close family members.
 HOMEWORK
1. Make all necessary notes and review them
2. Complete activity on page “3”
3. Write down any questions you may think off, to ask me for next class.