Answer to Question #264065 in Sociology for bubbles

Question

discuss Ferrante's 5 functions of the family and indicate how the pandemic has affected these functions

Answer 1

The following are the five basic functions of a family. Firstly, family provides Stable satisfaction of Sexual needs. This is the most important essential function of family. Family has been performing these functions since the inceptions of human civilization. It is a well-known fact that sex urge is the most important and powerful instinct and natural urge of human being. It is the primary duty of family to satisfy the sexual urge of its members in a stable and desirable way.

Secondly, family performs the function of Procreation and Rearing of Children. It is another important sectional function of family. It institutionalizes the process of procreation. By performing this function of procreation family contributes to the continuity of family and ultimately human race.

 The third function of a family is Provision of Home. Family performs important function of providing a home for common living to all its members. It is only in a home that children are born and brought up and even if children are born in hospitals in modern time still they are taken care of and properly nourished in a home only.

Socialization is another important essential function of family. It is said man is not born human but made human. New born human baby became human being after they are socialized. Family plays an important role in the socialization process.

However, with the coming of the pandemic the functions of family were greatly affected in that many parents have experienced increased pressures and erosions to social supports, with implications for their mental health. In a survey, the majority of parents expressed that during the pandemic, concerns about finances, social isolation, criticism from others, as well as emotional experiences of sadness and loneliness were affecting their parenting.