MAJOR SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS

THE FAMILY

The family is, as far as we

know, the toughest

institution we have. It is, in

fact, the institution to

which we owe our

humanity.

Margaret Mead

Family (from Latin: familia)

In human context, a family is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence.

In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children. Extended from the human "family unit" by biological-cultural affinity, marriage, economy, culture, tradition, honor, and friendship are concepts of family that are physical and metaphorical, or that grow increasingly inclusive extending to community, village, city, region, nationhood, global village and humanism. (source: Wikipedia.org)

THE FAMILY

Is the smallest social institution with the unique

function or producing and rearing the young

The basic unit of Philippine society and the

educational system where the child begins to learn

his ABC

The basic agent of socialization because it is here

where the individual develops values, behaviors

and way of life through interaction with members of

the family (Vega, 2004)

Characteristics of the Filipino Family

The family is closely knit and has strong family ties

The members have the tendency to cling together in

their activities and feelings

There is a strong loyalty among them not usually found

in Western families

The interests of the individual are often sacrificed for

the welfare of the group

The Filipino family is usually an extended one and

therefore, big.

The typical family today averages five children.

In spite of the family planning programs and population

efforts promoted all over the country, many Filipinos

have more children than would be justified by those

who are concerned with population growth.

Characteristics of the Filipino Family

In the Filipino family, kinship ties are extended to

include the compadre or sponsors.

Compadres and comadres are regarded as

relatives and closer ties are formed.

Parents get sponsors (ninong and ninang) in the

baptism of their child and wedding of a son or a

daughter.

These sponsors are supposed to act as second

parents to the child and have the responsibility of

guiding, advising, and helping their godchild.

Characteristics of the Filipino Family

Kinds of Family Patterns

Following are the different family patterns as

classified by sociologists:

Nuclear

Extended

Membership

Family according to structure

This is the primary or

elementary family

consisting of husband, wife

and children

It consists of married

couple, their parents,

siblings, grandparents

uncles, aunts and cousins

Conjugal or nuclear family Consanguine or extended

family