SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF THE FAMILY

ENRIQUE M. JAMILLA
UST Institute of Religion
 ARTICLE XV
THE FAMILY
(1987 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION)

The State recognizes the Filipino family as the

Section 1.
foundation of the nation. Accordingly, it shall strengthen its
solidarity and actively promote its total development.

Marriage, as an inviolable social institution, is the

Section 2.
foundation of the family and shall be protected by the State.
 ARTICLE XV
THE FAMILY
(1987 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION)
Section 3. The State shall defend:
(1) The right of spouses to found a family in accordance with their religious convictions
and the demands of responsible parenthood;
(2) The right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special
protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation and other conditions
prejudicial to their development;
(3) The right of the family to a family living wage and income; and
(4) The right of families or family associations to participate in the planning and
implementation of policies and programs that affect them.
Section 4. The family has the duty to care for its elderly members but the State may also
do so through just programs of social security.
 THE FAMILY AS A UNIVERSAL SOCIAL
INSTITUTION

There is no society, no matter the era in which it

functioned and has developed, in which family is
missing.
The family is the most common form of social
organization.
 FAMILY - A SOCIAL GROUP
CHARACTERIZED BY COMMON RESIDENCE,
ECONOMIC COOPERATION, AND
REPRODUCTION. 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 THE
SEXUALLY
COHABITING ADULTS
GEORGE MURDOCK
MURDOCK, G.P., SOCIAL STRUCTURE. THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, NEW
YORK, 1949.
 FOUR BASIC SOCIAL FUNCTIONS OF A FAMILY:
(GEORGE MURDOCK)

Sexual regulations - there is no society which leaves people to express their

sexual behaviours as they want, but there are a whole set of written and unwritten
rules/norms that prohibit certain ways of sexual behaviour.
Reproduction- each society needs new generations of young people to replace the
old people
Economic cooperation - the family constitutes the basic economic unity. It has
the role of satisfy the basic needs of its members, which consist mainly in food, housing,
health and comfort in general.
Socialization/education - family is the primary agent of socialization
 OTHER FUNCTIONS:

To provide affection, protection and emotional

support.

The family is the best / adequate group to satisfy these needs and
that is because it is involved at all levels - biological, psychological
and social - but also because its primary group structure gives it a
huge advantage over the other agents of socialization.
- IONU ANASTASIU, Ph.D,
Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest
 DIMENSIONS OF THE FAMILY

The Family is the smallest unit of the society, the basic

component fundamental to the life of the society.

Society has to recognize its identity and to accept its

status as a subject in its organizational setup.
 DIMENSIONS OF THE FAMILY

The family is the natural environment where

the first seeds of development are nurtured,
where the child, like sponge, absorbs
everything necessary for its growth.
 The family is the first and most important natural community.it is the
place where the first interpersonal relationships develop. It is the
foundation of the society ; all social arrangements proceed from it.
- DOCAT #114
 WHAT DOES THE FAMILY DO FOR SOCIETY?
1. Family is the place where the continuation of society is ensured.
2. The family performs the specific task of socializing and raising
children.
3. The family cares for all members of the household and offers them a
safe, private place in which to grow and relax.
4. The family provides loving care for household members- DOCAT
who are#119
sick
or handicapped or no longer able to earn money.
 WHAT CAN STATE AND SOCIETY DO FOR
FAMILIES?
It is important for both society and the State to acknowledge the
family as something special and central and therefore to protect
and support its unique character. -DOCAT #132
CHRISTIAN DIMENSIONS OF THE FAMILY
FOUR GENERAL TASKS FOR THE FAMILY:

forming a community of persons;

serving life;
participating in the development of society;
sharing in the life and mission of the Church.
The family is the place
where one learns to live
and to belong to others,
and where parents
transmit faith to their
children.
- Pope Francis
Meeting with Engaged Couples at the Vatican,
St. Valentines Day 2014
Family life is Sacred Family activity
is holy

Families have a Families are an

unique ministry evangelizing community

Four Cornerstones of the

The Family as a Domestic Church
 QUESTIONS FOR SHARING:

1. What is the greatest blessing that my family has received?

2. What is the most challenging thing my family has experienced?

3. How did these experiences shape my family today?