Family

The Family as the Primary Unit of Society

Studies of the family and family life in societies all over the world show that some form of family unit exists in all societies. The need for this is quite obvious in view of the fact that it takes several years after a birth for a human being to grow to a stage where he or she has acquired the necessary skills for survival. Thus the need for a secure environment such as the family unit to ensure the survival of human life.
Over the last 50 years in particular, family life and the way it is organised in different societies has been a very popular area of study for sociologists. This has resulted in a great body of information being assembled which needs to be continually updated. This paper will discuss the place of the family in society and different forms it may take.
The family may be defined as a unit within a society where people who are related to one another, either through birth or marriage, live together. The ...