1. Religious Viewpoint
In ancient India, a life of domesticity was regarded as the basis for the fulfilment of duty. The name ‘Patni’ implies that woman who accompanies the man in his performance of his religious duties.
According to the Hindu Shastras no man can complete religious activities without a wife. Even today it is in the family that the individual is educated regarding religious customs and functions.
The important work of imparting elementary religious education to the members of society was everywhere the responsibility of the family. But now the relation of religion to the family has weakened and has been much reduced since now a days the interest in religion is declining, and in addition to this religion is looked upon as a private affair in which the family need not interfere.
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2. Economic Viewpoint
Family is the centre of economic activities. It is family which utilizes the production in society. Sometimes the entire family jointly pursues an occupation. Agriculture, especially, is an occupation which is pursued jointly by the entire family and in it the men do the work of plantation, irrigation and sowing, the women that of cutting the crop while the children take over light work such as grazing the herds of animals. Inheritance also stems from the family.
The family protects property, makes arrangements for an adequate income and endeavours to fulfil the needs of the members. It is the family which provides the support for the old, disabled, unemployed and helpless.
3. Government Viewpoint
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In the ancient Roman family, the head had all the authority of the absolute ruler vested in him. In the Roman law it was prescribed that the father could put his sons into jail, sell them and execute them. In this way, in ancient times the right of administration was the possession of the Pater Familia.
Now-a-days the family no longer possesses such unbridled authority to punish the individual. Only the state has authority to sentence a person to imprisonment or death. Nevertheless, the family does much to assist the state in running the government machinery. It exercises control over the conduct of the individuals and prevents them from indulging in antisocial activity. The government consequently finds it easier to maintain order.
The family inculcates in the child the habit of discipline from the very beginning. The family presents to the child an environment which enables him to become a successful citizen in the future. In the absence of training of this kind the child grows up to become obstinate and criminal.
In this way, although the importance of the family from the viewpoints of religion, economy and the government has waned, it still is an important social institution. In all these spheres it assists other agencies.