Role of the family
1. Our families give us an identity. They provide us with a moral, social and economic support. Today, however – even in rural areas– the idea of the family itself is changing and is sometimes being replaced by other groups whose links are based on confidence, mutual support, common problems or interests. Religious groups, office colleagues and friends are now sometimes seen to operate as ‘family’. This new way of thinking about the family is radically different and is not based on correct biblical teaching.
There are also changes in values, economics and government policies. These changes are making unfaithfulness and divorce more common, marriage less serious, child rearing more confusing and stable relationships more difficult. These changes go against correct biblical teaching. We need to learn to control and cope with this rate of change.
2. The role of a family is in caring about its members. I believe today families have lost their knowledge, skills and resources in providing for the elderly. The common thing these days is to place them in a nursing home while we carry on with more important things. The communities also have lost the knowledge, skills and resources to look after the needs of disadvantaged people and rely on organisations instead. Today we see a rising population, which is getting older, government resources are being stretched etc. etc. In fact I really think that it's too late.
3. One of the primary functions of the family is to produce and reproduce persons, biologically and socially. However, producing children is not the only function of the family; the family is necessary for the formation of an economically productive household. Anthropologists have often supposed that the family in a traditional society forms the primary economic unit.
4. Well, the bottom line is the following: The family -- the glue that holds our communities, nation, and world together -- is weakening, and the moral foundation necessary for a civilized and well-functioning society is falling apart all around us.
A loving mother and father within a committed marriage is the very best foundation for the family, for the economy, and for the nation. Yet currently, divorce is a common issue, moreover, about forty percent of American children are born out of marriage. That fact affects everyone and all of American culture. When the family becomes nothing more than "any group of people living together," there is no moral authority in terms of standards of behavior. Children are left to hang around aimlessly. Family problems always hit our pockets -- hard!
5. Family is a natural way of protection because society is ever changing. Families automatically protect each other against the competitive and aggressive outside world.
6. I believe it depends on the society. I come from Eastern Europe, Poland. The family here is the centre of the social structure. One’s obligation is to the family first and foremost. Extended families are still the norm and really form an individual’s social network. We Poles draw a line between the inner circle and outsiders. Family members are naturally part of the inner circle along with close friends that are usually “family friends”. Poles will interact differently with their inner circle and outsiders. The inner circle forms the basis of a person's social and business network. The people from the inner circle can be relied upon to: offer advice, help find a job, cut through bureaucracy, or even rent an apartment.
