Analysing the functions of modern families Essay Example

and The secondary function or non-essential function (C.N.Shankar , 1990 pp.395-397).

The Primary Function or Essential Function:

The primary function or essential function encompasses six major roles.Firstly,it satisfies individuals' powerful sexual desires and needs that drive them to seek fulfillment.Secondly,is reproduction which results from sexual satisfaction and leads to the creation of new individuals within society;thus ensuring societal continuity.Thirdly,it involves the production and nurturing of children providing individuals with purpose in life as well as an opportunity for survival.The family's role in protecting newborns,and its significance in the production and upbringing of children are vital.Additionally,the family provides a place for its members to come together,to learn from one another,and it is within the home that children are born and raised.The family serves as a means of cultural transmission, passing down ideas, values, customs, beliefs, and traditions from one generation to the next. It also plays a role in assigning social status through naming individuals. In terms of economic functions, family members used to work together on farms but now engage in different economic activities outside of the home.

In addition to these primary functions, there are four major functions of the family. Economically, families used to work together on farms to produce goods and meet individual needs. Nowadays, family members are involved in various economic activities outside of the home. Education in Cambodia has also evolved with different types of household maps.

Educational maps involve fundamental instructions given by the household to children such as teaching them how to speak and write. The household also contributes to their motor skills development and intelligence. However, preschools have taken on some responsibilities that were previously fulfilled by the household.

Religious maps

focus on the household's role in spiritually preparing children. Parents teach their children virtues and impart spiritual values, moral principles, and proper ways of worshiping God.

Furthermore, recreational activities traditionally originate from within the household.These activities, such as reading aloud, singing together, family reunions, church gatherings, and playing games, promote unity within the entire family. Elders also engage in their own forms of entertainment either alone or with other children.

Both primary and secondary maps have significant roles in education. However, secondary maps are more crucial as they shape children's personalities, improve communication skills, and provide financial support for their potential development. On the other hand, primary maps primarily focus on meeting basic needs related to reproduction and providing a home.

Religious education in Cambodia is greatly influenced by Buddhism and impacts all Cambodians. The purpose of Buddhism is to educate individuals and guide them towards doing good. It teaches what is right for both themselves and society while considering their own feelings and respecting their parents and elders.

Furthermore, it is important to find effective ways to educate the younger generation (Janet, 2006, p.94). The family plays a vital role in this educational process as parents teach children daily activities like showing respect towards the elderly, assisting with food and flower preparations for monks, and dressing appropriately when visiting temples (Chantal, 2000,p.3).

Despite being a poor country,Cambodian parents actively support their children's education emotionally and financially.Parents in Cambodia play a dual role in supporting their children's education. They contribute directly through expenses covered by educational providers, such as uniforms, books, transportation, and more. Additionally, there are indirect costs associated with education, including income forgone when children attend school instead

of engaging in other activities. These indirect costs can be particularly burdensome for the poorest parents and may determine whether or not a child is able to attend school (Mark and Seng, 2005, p.1). Overall, this highlights the active support and encouragement parents provide for their children's education in Cambodia and emphasizes the important role of the family in formal education.

In fact, parents are viewed as the primary educators of their children and hold responsibility for their early learning experiences, exploration of the world, and overall development (Claire, June 2009,p55). The family environment plays a critical role in providing support for young children to acquire language skills, learn social rules,
develop self-control,
build relationships,
and become active members of society (Claire,
June 2009,p8).
For example,
when children interact with their mothers while cooking,
they ask questions
and receive answers
which helps develop their intelligence (Chantal ,
2004,p74).
Therefore,
parents have an essential role in educating their children.
According to MacIver's theory (IV- Conclusion),
families have both primary and secondary functions.In addition to fulfilling sexual desires, procreation, and nurturing offspring being a fundamental aspect of its purpose, the secondary function holds even greater significance as it aids in equipping children with essential abilities required for their enrollment into primary school. In Cambodia, families assume three crucial roles in education: providing spiritual guidance, formal schooling opportunities, and home-based learning. Parents play an indispensable role as educators by ensuring that their children receive necessary healthcare, nutrition, hygiene practices, safety measures, educational resources, social interaction chances along with emotional backing. They strive to promote all facets of their children's development - physical growth, intellectual advancement, emotional well-being as well as social skills - recognizing that the foundation for learning is established within the

family from an early age.