Reduced interior structure of families

The interior structures of 20th century families no longer enable the family to perform its basic social role. They have been reduced to the point the family unit has become largely dysfunctional. The forms of sustenance have been reduced to physical gratification. The social role of the family in general or a specific family is not self-consciously considered. Members of families are not enabled to deal with the meaning of life in relation to the family. Structures relating the family to its history or its heritage do not exist. The decision making forms are arbitrary and lack effective ways of holding members responsible for their acts. The structures that do exist tend to engender self-centred attitudes and behaviour of individual members and a reduced sense of responsibility toward the larger community and society.

1. Negative effects of the nuclear family

1. Vulnerability of marriage as an institution
2. Unengaging family activities
3. Simplistic family decision-making structures
4. Reduced dimension of the marriage covenant
5. Introversion of the family unit
6. Individually defined operating structure of marriage

1. Underprivileged home environment
2. Stifled potential for social interaction among different age groups
3. Increased family fragmentation
4. Diffusion of family role expectations
5. Abandoned elderly

1. Simplistic concept of families
2. Restriction of social life to family
3. Modern disruption of traditional symbol systems
4. Limitations of monogamy
5. Individualistic perception of sexual activity

1. Refusal of families to participate

1. Requiring family relationship structure
2. Promoting kinship circles
3. Forming families
4. Extending the family unit

1. Reduction
2. Collapse
3. Isolation
4. Introversion