Procreation of children is
the primary biological function of a family. Children born to a lawfully wedded
couple only receive legitimacy from society. Thus, it is the family which
ensures the continuity of human race.
Fulfillment of Basic
Needs:
It is the responsibility of a family to provide basic
needs to its mem¡©bers. These include food, shelter, clothing, health and
education. The head of the family, whether male or female, is expected to
provide these to the members till they attain adulthood.
The Hindu marriage makes it obligatory for the husband
to provide comforts to his wife. Among the tribals also economic needs along
with physical needs are fulfilled by the family.
Psychological
Security:
One very important function of a family is psychological. It provides security to the members
of the family. Among the aged in the primi¡©tive societies, psychological
support is a very strong factor as it provides strength and a measure of
safety. The tribals reside in hills and forests. Such a habitation poses great
hazards to them.
Mostly, the environment is unfriendly and in such a
situation it is only the emo¡©tional support which provides succor to the
people. Though, these days, the state has come forward to take some measures of
security for the older people, the family still does provide psychological
protec¡©tion.
In the changing times the
functions of family are fast getting new dimensions. Even the Trobrianders
living in isolated islands are taking to modernization. In our country too, the
tribals residing in inaccessi¡©ble areas have been witnessing a transformation.
Traditional occupations are changing, and education
has given a new worldview to these isolated peoples. In such a situation the
family has taken up new challenges and new functions.
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