Chapter 2 Your Family 31
Section 2-1
Understanding Your Family
Objectives
After studying this section, you will be able to
• explain functions served by the family.
• describe the different family types.
• identify roles and responsibilities fi lled by family members.
• differentiate between functional and dysfunctional families.
Families play an important role in the lives of many people. Most families
provide for physical needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. They also
provide emotional support. Families have a way of sticking together. Family
members often come to each other’s rescue. Even children show this type of
support for family members when they tell their playmates, “My mom is the
best cook in the world!” or “My dad is funnier than your dad.”
Your family is probably the greatest infl uence in shaping your personality.
You learn much of what you know from your family members. They infl uence
your personality, values, and behaviors. Sometimes you think like other
members of your family; sometimes you do not. Many of your goals come
from them. You can understand yourself better if you learn more about
families. Understanding family dynamics will help you as you select your
partner and start your own family.
Functions of the Family
What is a family? A family is a group of two or more people related to
each other. Some examples of family include people who are related by blood
(birth), marriage, or adoption, 2-1. A baby who is born to a couple is related by
blood. The man your sister marries will be related to you by marriage. A child
who is legally adopted by an adult is related by adoption.
Every country in the world contains family units of some form. What
makes up a family unit, however, can vary. For instance, in some countries,
and among certain religious groups, a man may have more than one wife. In
other situations, several families may live together as a group. All families, no
matter what their makeup, perform similar functions.
family
socialization
culture
nuclear family
single-parent family
stepfamily
extended family
adoptive family
foster family
childless family
functional family
dysfunctional family
Key Terms
Vocabulary
Refl ect