FUNCTIONS OF THE FAMILY

“Yet He sets the poor on high, far from affliction, and makes their FAMILIES like a flock” – Psalm 107:41

The scriptures as well as secular studies emphasize the Significance and the FUNCTIONS of the FAMILY: “Yet He sets the poor on high, far from affliction, and makes their FAMILIES like a flock” (Psa.107:41). Since the beginning of human creation, God has been in the mission of multiplying “families like a flock”! As we’ve noted, in general family is a group of people related by blood, marriage, law, or custom. Family is the first environment that every human being enters to socialize. Everyone is born from a family.

The primary function of the Family is to ensure the continuation of society, both biologically through PROCREATION, and socially through SOCIALIZATION. From the perspective of the parents, the family’s main function is procreation; while from that of children, there is a sense of Orientation. The Family functions to situate children socially, playing a major role in their socialization. In essence, the family functions to produce and socialize children. Scriptures lend credence to both of these functions and others.

Family is critical to individual lives because it is from the family that an individual forms his or her habits before being thrust into the wider community. Therefore, the family plays an important role in the formation of human character. In addition to Procreation and Socialization, the Family fulfils other important functions. Overall, the following are Seven Key Functions of the Family:

Procreation or Reproductive Function: “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward” (Psa. 127:3). From the existence of a family, reproduction occurs which also gives birth to new individuals, new characters and habits. This new individual will later have a family, reproduce, and give birth to others. This is God’s strategy for perpetuating humankind.

Socialization and Education Function: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Pro.22:6). As social beings, humans must socialize to survive, starting from the family. Families also provide a variety of knowledge for individuals before plunging directly into the larger social spheres. Obtaining education is an important function of the family. 

Affection Function: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb?” (Isa.49:15a). The Family is the first place an individual is born and bred, and is involved in every process of life development. Family affection is the initial journey of the conscience of the individual before spreading other affections in social life, such as Friendship.

Protection Function: As a person’s first environment, the family should be a comfortable and safe place, with a protective function. Homes are meant to be places of Love and Protection, not hotspots of stress and frustration. When one feels fear or a threat from the social environment, the family is the sought-after refuge. With a family, no matter the situation, safe protection will still be felt.

Economic Function: Beyond socializing, there are family-related transactions and financial structures. The Family is the strongest foundation in carrying out the economic process. Therefore, the family's financial condition must be in order so that family harmony is sustained. Both parents and children, must have good financial knowledge, with a lot more depending on the parents.

Faith or Religious Function: “For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness ad justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has spoken to him” (Gen.18:19). Children get their first knowledge and faith or religious identity, from the family. Because the family spends the most time with the child, strong religious values in children are formed from the family. 

Socio-Cultural Function: The Family plays a great role in the education of norms and culture communication, living sheltered in the wider communal environment. From the family, identity and ancestral culture that has been adopted can be passed down: the lineage: “One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts” (Psa.145:7).