Abstract

The family as an integrated and functional unit of society has for a considerable period of time captured the attention and imagination of researchers. Due to the multiplicity of characteristics possessed by the family, research continues to expand and grow both in volume and depth. The structural, functional, developmental and integrative functions which the family fulfills in societies the world over make it an important unit of analysis for sociological investigation. As an institution the family has evolved over the years, and has been subjected to extensive and, in some cases, intensive influences from within and beyond the society. During its years of existence as an integral component of society, it has also from time to time adapted to accommodate the needs of individuals and society. As a consequence we have variant forms of the family across the world assisting in the life, growth and development of individuals-and by extension society. Apart from the roles the family plays on behalf of individuals, its indispensible role in the functioning of the larger social system has been recognized and well acknowledged. Studies of families from varied contexts, settings, and perspectives contribute to a better understanding of its existence, growth/decline, forms, roles, functions, and adaptations to the changing world we live in today.