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Family Concept

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Family Concept
Introduction
The family, which is the fundamental building block of society, has exhibited a variety of forms throughout the world. Despite this wide variety which socialize human beings into the world 's many cultures and ethnic groups, several global factors have begun to impact families everywhere. These factors include industrialization, urbanization and socialization. This paper will aim to highlight how these global factors, that is urbanization, industrialization and socialization have affected the traditional family. In order to do this, the essay will endeavor to define the concepts traditional family, urbanization, industrialization with a theoretical explanation and socialization. The good and negative factors of these global factors will also be highlighted and finally a conclusion shall be given.
Definition of concepts
Family
There are various ways to define the concept family. This could be in terms of such ideas as nuclear, extended, single-parent and reconstituted family structures. The structure of the family - like any other social structure - is defined in terms of the social relationships from which it is constructed. According to Odetola, T.O. and Ademola, A. (1985) an extended family is defined as a pattern of family organization which means that the whole kinship group is a social and economic unit, living in the same house, adjacent dwellings, sharing work duties, responsibilities and the fruits of production. The nuclear family is said to be a much smaller organization which consists of the man, his wife and children while a single parent family is that type of family where there’s only one parent. The family is usually the major source of the basic necessities of life and health; love and tenderness, adequate food, clean water, a place and time for rest, clothing and sanitation, to the extent made possible by socio-economic, cultural and environmental conditions. O’donnell, G. (2002) define family as a group of persons united



Bibliography: Odetola, T.O., and Ademola, A. (1985). Sociology: An Introductory African Text. London: Macmillan Education Ltd. Noyoo, N. (2000). Social Welfare in Zambia. Lusaka: Multimedia Zambia. Mogey, J. (1991). Families: Intergenerational and generational connections-conceptual approaches to kinship and culture. Marriage and Family Review, 16, 47-66. Saal, C.D. (1987). Alternative forms of living and housing. In L. Shamgar-Handelman & R. Palomba (Ed.), Alternative patterns of family life in modern societies. Rome: Collana Monografie. Parsons, T. ("The Social Structure of the Family", 1959) Asford, B. (1995). The Global System: Economics, Politics and Culture. Martins Press: New York. Question: How has industrialization, urbanization and socialization affected the traditional family patterns. Show both the good and negative influences.

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