Family: not just a group, but a social phenomenon

Considering that social life is fundamental to the existence and survival of human beings as individuals, it is in the family that the process of socialization, education and training for the world. Family groups are characterized by biological ties, but their constitution throughout history in all Human groupings was not just limited to the procreation and preservation aspect of the species, but became a phenomenon Social.

Families are considered primary groups, in which the relationships between individuals are based on the subjectivity of the feelings between people, a fact that often justifies the love that exists between parents and adoptive children, which is therefore unrelated. inbred. Thus, the ties that unite individuals in the family are not sustained by the logic of exchange, of the convenience of the relationship based on a rational calculation as in a contract in the business world in which each party sees an advantage in the existing relationship, constituting a group formal. On the contrary, the family is an informal group, in which people are linked by affection and affinity, and because of this feeling create bonds that guarantee coexistence (in the same place of residence, for example), in addition to cooperation economic.

But what about the countless family problems that we hear so much about or even that we can face on a daily basis? The answers to this question are varied, and the degree of complexity of each one can vary. However, in a very simplistic way, to some extent, it is possible to state that the genesis of family conflicts is at the time when the bases of union (which justifies the type of relationship and bond) of this group begin to be undermined by the emergence of personalities, the different opinions, the individuality of each member, who does not give up what is particular to him (as an individual) on behalf of the family. To illustrate, just think of the conflicts that exist in families with young teenagers who, at this moment when they leave childhood to enter in adult life, they become much more critical of the values ​​of the adults around them, often even impulsively considering abandoning the home. Therefore, nothing is more natural than generational clashes and conflicts between parents and children in this sense, which does not mean a definitive destabilization of the family. Thus, despite this, the links built beyond the biological remain.

Even if for any reason the individuals separate, no longer residing in the same place, they obviously continue to form a family, mainly in the legal aspect. For this reason, although it has been said here that the family is an informal group, it is a fact that with the complexization of society (mainly Western society) there was a kind of formalization of bonds relatives. The State started to regulate them, creating a legal apparatus that governs not only the relationships between spouses, but also between parents and children. This becomes evident especially when it comes to issues related to inheritance rights, assets, guardianship of minors, pensions, among other cases, as well as in the issuance of documents such as marriage certificates (they formalize the bond) and birth (they formalize the paternity).

Although a social phenomenon present in all cultures, obviously family groups and kinship relationships do not have the same rules and conventions, manifesting themselves in peculiar ways depending on the customs of a particular people or society. Therefore, there is a direct relationship between family patterns of behavior (expectation of social role of each individual, father, mother, children, grandparents, etc.) and the prevailing moral codes, which are also socially constructed throughout the time. A clear example is the different way in which monogamy and bigamy are seen around the world. Likewise, the current cultural pattern will determine the existing power relations between family members, varying the types of authorities between patriarchal (when family fathers exercise the power of command and control), matriarchal (when mothers assume the command) or paternal (when authority is more balanced between the chestnjugare you).

In addition, it is important to consider that, over time, the family's organizational structure can change within a same culture, since changes in family patterns are a direct consequence of social, economic and policies. Proof of this would be in the development of the capitalist mode of production, as with the need for labor, conditions were created for the inclusion of women in the labor market, a fact that would contribute to changes in their role Social.

Thus, there is a question that arises in contemporaneity: In the face of so many divorces, late marriages and older people still living with their parents, or even multiple marriages throughout life uniting children from previous relationships, the family as an institution would be disappearing? In an attempt to outline an answer, perhaps we can state that, obviously, that more traditional sense of the word would indeed be in extinction. However, taking the family as a group and social phenomenon, it is possible to say that it is undergoing a strong restructuring.

What is in decline is the idea of ​​a family composed of a heterosexual couple in which, while the woman is restricted to private sphere dedicating himself exclusively to domestic tasks, man is responsible for the public sphere, the street, the world of work. In this traditional family pattern, the union between the chestnjugare you it was predominantly marked by the religious ceremony of marriage, regardless of religion, a fact that contrasts with unions very frequent and short-lived now, a direct consequence of fear in relation to the most serious commitment, especially by the young. Also as a sign of this reformulation of family patterns and arrangements are the families that start with homosexual couples, which ends up for generating controversy not only because of the union itself (given the existing prejudice and intolerance), but also when considering adoption of children for them, since in the imagination of most people the idea of ​​a family in which the parents have sexes prevails. many different. In these new family patterns, in addition to the achievement of greater independence by women (in various aspects), they marry and become mothers now at an older age, in addition to having an extremely reduced number of children when compared to the levels of decades past.

Thus, it is important to consider that, if the family is the basis or beginning of the individuals' socialization process, what becomes essential is that it be structured in such that the relationship between its members is based on harmony and respect among their peers, given the importance and influence that such group exerts in the lives of each a. Therefore, when thinking about the family as a group, this is not about making an apology for the model of the past or the present, but of proposing reflection on the unfolding of its conformation and transformations, since its characteristics reflect the society of its time, which makes it (the family) a social phenomenon.


Paulo Silvino Ribeiro
Brazil School Collaborator
Bachelor in Social Sciences from UNICAMP - State University of Campinas
Master in Sociology from UNESP - São Paulo State University "Júlio de Mesquita Filho"
Doctoral Student in Sociology at UNICAMP - State University of Campinas

Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/sociologia/familia-nao-apenas-um-grupo-mas-um-fenomeno-social.htm

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