STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONS

                                                                                                       

                                                                      Abstract

The importance of studying the family unit cannot be over stressed; studies concerning the family bring an understanding of the way the family system is supposed to operate. With such a diverse world and the constant changes that take place within different populations, it is important to have structural norms to help the rhythm and flow of the family within its society. The absence and or the violation of such norms can only produce dysfunction within the family system; which in turn creates societal imbalances that naturally demand societal maintenance. Like any system in order to facilitate rhythm and flow, there needs to be an understanding of its proper structural function.

Introduction

     Structural Functions give the observer an understanding of a system’s intended operation.
Structural Functions do not guarantee the absence or lack of malfunction(s), they do however,
guarantee a more effective and smooth operation (properly functioning system). Marriage and
family are an institution and like any organism/system, its design requires Structural Functions
that govern the way the unit and or system should operate when all aspects of the whole are
operating within their intended purpose. This essay will define the four Structural Functions of
the family system, and will produce biblical evidence in support for each one. This essay will
conclude by taking the position that the Structural Functions are in essence the natural laws that
govern the family unit as a system.

An Economic Unit

     The first function of the family is an economic unit, in which there is a division of labor that
has economic value (Grunlan, S. 1999). Whether the unit is a producing family or a consuming
family it is nevertheless an economic unit that must be sustained in order to function. The
divisions of labor consist of certain duties and responsibilities given, or among members of the
unit for the benefit of the whole. From a biblical perspective, the first man Adam had the
responsibility (job) of tending the garden (Gen. 2:15). The responsibility was never taken from
the hands of Adam. This is clearly understood when God stated that He would make Adam a
help meet for him (Gen. 2:18). Within the family economic system the wife’s position is that of a
help (this includes and goes beyond economics). The ultimate responsibility falls solely on the
husband as head of household; this should not however, be misunderstood to mean that the wife
takes a second class position concerning the economy of the family. The family must be
financially sustained for proper operation, therefore more than mere division of labor which is
perhaps an inadequate description of this function (for Christians anyway).
The function of economy takes a different meaning when it is understood that, the Christian
family unit is to be a stewardship of God’s economy (Gen. 1:28). Therefore the Christian family
works as a team each member operating within their God given authority and capacities to
facilitate the will of God.

Reproduction and Socialization

     “The second function of the family is reproduction and socialization. Society needs to
reproduce itself and rear its young” (Grunlan, S. 1999).  If and when a society fails to reproduce
itself, then said society will fail to exist. Therefore society is dependent on reproduction, for its
continued life and advancement. However, reproduction is not enough for the success of a
society. The socialization of its young is crucial for the further advancement of a producing and
functioning society. The words of the scriptures such as those stipulated in (Gen. 1:26) have far
more meaning than mere human reproduction. Such things as morality, ethics, religious beliefs,
structural norms etc. must be taught from an early age in order to have a vibrant and healthy
society; the teachings of the above mentioned, are the responsibility of the family unit (Grunlan,
S. 1999). This concept is clearly biblically supported by (Prov. 22:6), in that it stipulates that one
should train/teach a child in the way he should go.

Companionship

     Companionship is the third function of the family. In his work Marriage and the Family
(Grunlan, 1999) states “Humans have emotional and interpersonal needs that can only be met in
intimate social settings.” The concept of human companionship comes from the second chapter
of the book of Genesis, in which God stated that it was not good for man (human kind) to be
alone (Gen. 2:18). Thus God made man the ideal companion which is the woman, from which is
found the first family. In a proper functioning family unit, companionship is provided for each
family member in various degrees.

Status Conferring

     The fourth function is status conferring. This function relates to statuses that are ascribed (usually at birth) to persons. Statuses that are ascribed are derived from the person’s family. An example of an ascribed status is when a child is born he or she becomes someone’s son, daughter, niece, nephew etc. This is also found in the bible, when a child was born he/she was either a Jew/Hebrew, or Gentile. He/she was born to a specific tribe. When God made Eve, Adam called her “woman,” thus ascribing a status to her (Gen. 2:23).

Conclusion

     An understanding of the inerrancy of the scriptures reveals that the bible is the word of God, and that it is truth revealed. The bible reveals that the heavens (nature) declare the Glory of God (Psa. 19:1). In (Rom. 1:20) there is clear indication that nature speaks/reveals the unseen. Lastly (1 Cor. 11:14), points to nature as teaching human behavior and acceptability of what is proper and what is not. Therefore it is concluded that the structural functions of the family, have biblical support that are found as early as the creation of the first family. Structural functions are therefore established by the Divine Designer for the purpose of proper function of the family system; structural functions are in essence normal, natural laws that govern the proper function of the system called the family.

                                                                        References

Grunlan, S. A. (1999). Marriage and the family: A Christian perspective. Second edition, Zondervan.
       Grand Rapids, Michigan.

KJV (2012). Logos bible software. Ipad version.