A Sociological Presentation of Marriage and Family Life in the Western Contemporary World

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive social view about marriage and family life in the contemporary western world. Family and marriage may appear to be familiar themes at first glance. Families exist in all communities and are an integral element of our humanity. However, there is a great deal of cultural difference in how people view family and marriage around the world. Cross-cultural perspectives on how people relate to one another, what form of marriage is desirable, when people should have children, who should care for children, and many other family-related issues differ. While families are designed to meet basic human needs such as providing for children, defining parental duties, regulating sexuality, and passing property and knowledge down through generations, there are many different ways to accomplish these needs. This paper discusses some of the most typical family life patterns observed around the world. It's crucial to keep in mind that within any cultural context, differences do exist. Some variants on the typical pattern fall within the "spectrum of acceptable alternatives" as defined by culture. Other family structures are not universally approved, but most community members would consider them appropriate. For e.g., the Family is thought to be the most intact and stable essential unit of any community in Ascombe societies. According to popular belief, an intact family consists of a man and woman married to each other and any children they may have. As a result, they describe marriage as an exclusive and monogamous connection between a man and a woman based on mutual love and aid, to remain so committed until death. In most societies, the state and social custom respect this commitment. The family is in charge of providing the social support that a stable society requires. The optimum setting for raising children is a happy, healthy family that provides them with the love, support, and education they need to succeed in adulthood. As a result, the family is the finest institution for nourishing and rearing future generations, preparing them for the responsibilities that will be required of them as leaders of society in the future.