The concept and idea of the family are constantly changing. Different researchers have attempted to develop an ideal definition for family. Social life changing makes family hard to be defined. Numerous researchers such as Murdock have defined family, but have not been successful. Success lacks when groups and people in society are excluded from the definition. Murdock defines family as “It includes adults of both sexes, at least two of whom maintain a socially approved sexual relationship, and one or more children own or adopted of cohabitating adults”(Gittins 1985;1). Murdock’s four basic aspects of the functionalist are used to define family as well. The four aspects are: common residence, economic co-operation, reproduction, and sexuality.
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Family cannot be defined in one definition. This is because many characteristics of the family exist. The characteristics of the family may be applicable to some individuals but not all, but it is okay. Not all characteristics together are supposed to define the family. The characteristics are just examples in how and what an individual views family as. This demonstrates that every individual is different, which also demonstrates that the definition of family is diverse. Murdock’s definition is narrow and exclusive because it is written to only fit certain people in society. This definition allows for people to be left out and not fit in the description. Society is big and not having a definition that can include all people, brings self-consciousness and shame. The people excluded from the definition are being pointed out for living a life outside what is considered to be the norm. Socially constructed norms of family shame those who are not living life as an ideal …show more content…
For instance, poor and low- income families, who have financial problems does not fulfill Murdock’s definition of the family. Difficult situations as this make it hard for families to be on their own. For this reason many families choose to co-residence with another family. In this way they are able to help each other, through a hardship situation. That they are not able to sustain their children and home. Co- residence is defined as two or more families residing in a home. This idea of co-residence was visible in Scott Coltrane’s article The Social Construction of Gender and Families. In the article Coltrane states how hard times have led multiple families to reside in one home. Also how cohabitation makes these other people in your house eventually become family. Coltrane argues that more than one meaning to family exist, “The term family describes a set of interpersonal relationships, alerts us to the social meaning of those relationships, and suggest ways to think and act as we go about our daily lives”(Coltrane 1988; 5). Coltrane is stating that depending on the social experiences you have is what helps an individual gather a definition of family. Therefore leading to not being able to have one universal definition of family because of all the possible characteristics that can exist that define family as Diane
Family cannot be defined in one definition. This is because many characteristics of the family exist. The characteristics of the family may be applicable to some individuals but not all, but it is okay. Not all characteristics together are supposed to define the family. The characteristics are just examples in how and what an individual views family as. This demonstrates that every individual is different, which also demonstrates that the definition of family is diverse. Murdock’s definition is narrow and exclusive because it is written to only fit certain people in society. This definition allows for people to be left out and not fit in the description. Society is big and not having a definition that can include all people, brings self-consciousness and shame. The people excluded from the definition are being pointed out for living a life outside what is considered to be the norm. Socially constructed norms of family shame those who are not living life as an ideal …show more content…
For instance, poor and low- income families, who have financial problems does not fulfill Murdock’s definition of the family. Difficult situations as this make it hard for families to be on their own. For this reason many families choose to co-residence with another family. In this way they are able to help each other, through a hardship situation. That they are not able to sustain their children and home. Co- residence is defined as two or more families residing in a home. This idea of co-residence was visible in Scott Coltrane’s article The Social Construction of Gender and Families. In the article Coltrane states how hard times have led multiple families to reside in one home. Also how cohabitation makes these other people in your house eventually become family. Coltrane argues that more than one meaning to family exist, “The term family describes a set of interpersonal relationships, alerts us to the social meaning of those relationships, and suggest ways to think and act as we go about our daily lives”(Coltrane 1988; 5). Coltrane is stating that depending on the social experiences you have is what helps an individual gather a definition of family. Therefore leading to not being able to have one universal definition of family because of all the possible characteristics that can exist that define family as Diane