The Family Institution in Sociology: Its Concept, Roles, and Phases under the Structural-Functional Approach

The family institution is considered one of the most prominent social systems that have received wide attention in sociology, due to its pivotal role in shaping societal and cultural structures throughout the ages. Hence, the importance of studying the family from the perspective of the structural-functional approach arises, which seeks to understand how the family adapts to societal changes and the roles it plays in maintaining societal stability and cohesion. This article addresses the concept of the family from multiple angles, reviewing the definitions provided by sociologists that focus on the structure, function, and internal relationships within the family. It also explains the stages the family goes through during its life cycle and the changes that occur in relationships and roles at each stage. Subsequently, the article reviews the transformations that have occurred in the family under the structural-functional approach due to social and economic developments, such as the Industrial Revolution and women's entry into the labour market. The article also enumerates the basic functions of the family in society, such as reproduction, socialization, and consumption, discussing the transformations that have affected these functions and the potential challenges the family faces in performing its traditional roles. Through this analysis, the article seeks to provide a deeper understanding of the role of the family in contemporary society and how the structural-functional approach contributes to interpreting the challenges the family faces amid continuous transformations.