The following are the traditional functions of the family

The following are the traditional functions of the family:

1. Economic functions

2. The family performed many economic functions also, some of which are the following

(i) Division of labour

The work is divided among the members of the family according to their status and role. The male members generally do the work which means out of door movement.

The women generally take care of the domestic chores whiie the children undertake only such work as can assist in their development. While this division of labour prevents putting excessive burden on the shoulders of one individual it ensures the systematic performance of the family activities. All people undertake responsibility and work co-operatively.

(ii) Provision of income

Money is needed for such of the family requirements as food, cloth, habitation, etc. The family is the centre of economic activities, consumption, etc. The family makes arrangements for an income in an effort to fulfil the needs of the family members.

(iii) – Organisation and care of property

Most families possess some property in the form of a house, farm, jewellery, money, etc. The family looks after his property and in case such a contingency arises it also equitably distributes it among the members. The family is the judge of what property an individual shall receive and who shall look after the property and how, and other important questions.

2. Social functions

The social functions of the families are important since the family is the fundamental and primary unit of society. The following among many social functions deserve mention:

(i) To establish status

An important function of the family is the determination of an individual’s status in the society. The modes of earning wealth of an individual are also generally determined by the family.

(ii) Socialization

The family imparts learning to the individual on all those subjects whereby he can become an ideal member of society. It carries out the socialization of the individual. It acquaints him with the various modes of conduct in eating, conversing, coexisting, etc.

(iii) Social control

Another function of the family is to exercise social control over the individual. The prevalent moral norms are enforced upon the individuals and their conduct and thoughts are controlled so that the order in society may remain intact. In the family, the antisocial tendencies of the individual are watched.

(iv) The accumulation and transmission of Social heritage

The family keeps the social heritage intact and hands it over to the generations traits of the economic aspect of primitive family are applicable to the Kharia family. A Kharia woman is not absolutely deprived of all property rights, though most of the property belongs to the male. Her personal effects like dress and ornaments are considered her personal property.

Besides the suitable status of the women, the children are also generally treated well in primitive family. They constitute an important part of the family, irrespective of their sex. Their early education is generally entrusted to their mothers.

The later education in the case of the daughter, is given by the mothers, while in the case of sons it is given by the fathers. Besides the fathers, sometimes professional education is imparted to the youth by other male members of the tribe. Thus Kharia family is an example of healthy and harmonious family relationship. In it each member has been allotted a suitable role and a more or less equal status in the family life.

The ho family

The Ho tribe lives in Singhbhum, in Bihar and the adjacent district. The conglomeration of Ho families is known as Kolhan. This is a government estate which is administered by the district magistrate through the heads of the tribal organization.

The Kolhan consists of clans known as killi, as units. Each killi is composed of so many families. Thus the social organization of a Kolhan is constituted by several killi and that of the killi by the families. In this social organization while some functions are performed by the killi, others are entrusted to the family.

The killi has a panchayat together with a sarpanch, which takes decisions in communal matters. The worship of gods and spirits, the performance of sacrifices, the observance of feasts and festivals, the ceremonies connected with marriage and death are generally entrusted to the killi since they are considered as having communal importance.

The family performs functions concerning food, clothing, house, health and illness, family worship and other interpersonal matters; it consists of a man, his wife and their children. However, joint families are also found, consisting of brothers and agnates, their spouses and children.

A large number of unmarried girls may be seen in a Ho family since bride price is higher and it is difficult for the parents to marry off their daughters early. The status of the male and female is almost equal though it is undeniable that the high bride price makes the status of the daughter lower than that of the son.

The khasi family

The Khasi tribe is found in the Khasi and Jaintia hill districts of Assam. They present an exceptional example of matriarchal society, rarely found in the present day world, anywhere else.

They are matrilineal and matrilocal. They trace their descent from a mythical female ancestress. The most aged female is the head of the family. Thus the family includes a mother, her male and female children, and her husband, sometimes her married daughters and their husbands. This is due to the fact that the Khasi marriage is matrilocal.

After the marriage the bridegroom lives in the house of the bride and seldom visits his own parental home. However, if a husband can support his wife and children he is allowed to establish a house independent of his in-laws home.

Most of the earnings are joint and administered by the head woman. Men have no individual right to ownership. Thus husbands and sons have no property rights. All property is inhereited by women from women.

Thus the daughter inherits the property of the mother. The role of the male, therefore, is not dominant but subordinate in social and religious matters. It is understandable since the male lives in the house of his wife’s parents.

It is believed that the youngest daughter holds the religion and therefore she is given the major share of parental property. In the absence of a daughter, some girl is adopted for this purpose. Thus women enjoy high status and power.

However, hard jobs life those of agriculture and other professional functions are carried on by the male while weaving is carried on by the females. Both sexes earn money by working as porters. The women have the property rights, authority, etc. in social and religious matters. This does not mean that the husbands are not respected or loved. They also exercise some authority. The Khasi woman, though all powerful, addresses her husband as her lord.

The above examples of patrilocal and matrilocal from of Indian primitive families show that they are based upon healthy traditions and reciprocal relationships among male and female.

Though the male generally dominates the family, the status of tribal woman cannot be considered as lower, particularly in comparison to her cultured sisters in civilized societies. Most of the tribal families are self-sufficient and well-to-do.

However, in those areas where civilized traders have encroached their areas, their economic condition has worsened. At some places one finds prevalence of bonded labour. It is necessary that tribal societies are left free in their natural surroundings without much interference from the civilized man.

If they are allowed to carry on their social institutions unhindered and without pressure, their family lives even today may be suitably contrasted with those of any civilized society in the world.