Family, Human Sexuality,Health Care - Essay Example

[Teacher’s Sociology Family, Human Sexuality, Health Care. From a sociological point of view, family is a basic unit structure of society which can be defined in numerous ways depending on the culture of each individual. The community one lives in sets the standards for what family is a primary group and the key functions members of the family perform. The principles and values set in the community define family through sociological perspectives. The major principles which are used include gender roles, nuclear family and industrial capitalism.

The nuclear family consists of only the children and parents. These families have however decreased over the years in the United States. Historical analysis shows that pre industrial nuclear families were tied together by kinship into the family which an individual was born in, the family of procreation, which is founded upon matrimonial agreements. The family also includes members of the spouse’s family. In other cultures the nuclear family may extend to numerous individuals due to the practice of polygamy and polygyny.

The family can also be extended through common residents, when two or more families live together. This is known as extended family, and is practiced through out the world, particularly in India. The family has a diverse role in society as an individual gains his principles form this institution and spends a majority of his life with his or her family. Some the major functions of family include, satisfaction of sexual needs and desires. Sex is a natural instinct and each individual needs to satisfy his or her sexual urges.

This requires people to live together, in addition, sex and family in the sense of husband and wife is method of reproduction an procreation which is essential for human survival. The family is also a protective environment for the young and is used to give them the fundamentals of life and lessons for the future. The family is essential in building one’s character and esteem. The family also teaches the child social norms and the behavior which appropriate and acceptable in society. However, in recent times there several problems which the institution of family is facing today.

These include absence of father or mother figure, lack of discipline, lack of communication, balance of work and family, negative media influence and materialism(Issues facing family today, n.d).The absence of a father or mother figure can be attributed to the following, divorce and gay marriages. This deprives the child of certain attributes that are only possessed by a particular sex. Studies have been carried out and show that absence of one sex among the parents results in adverse effects and psychological problems in children (Issues facing family today, n.d).The paper shows the value of family to society and its sustainability of the human race.

It also helps maintain social norms which monitor each individual’s morals and values. The absence of the family institute would result in an uncivilized population and may result in extinction of the human race as procreation would be limited or uncontrolled which can lead to the spread of terminal diseases. Works CitedBiblical Foundations. Issues facing family today.n.d. Web. April 9, 2013