A family can be defined as a group of people who live together and are united by ties of marriage, birth, blood and adoption. It is the smallest unit of the society.
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TYPES OF FAMILY
Nuclear Family: This consists of father, mother and their children. It is also sometimes called a monogamous family.
Polygamous Family: This is made up of a man, his wives and their several children. In a polygamous family, the husband has more than one wife.
Extended Family: This type of family is made up of husband, his wife, or wives, their children and other relations like uncles, aunts, cousins, grandparents, wives of sons and their children.
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FUNCTIONS OF THE FAMILY
- Procreation: Family bears children to increase the size of the society.
- Socialization: They teach the young ones how to relate and conform to the norms of the family.
- Protection and Provision: They provide clothing, shelter and food for members of the family; they also protect the younger members.
4Â Â Education: They educate the young ones on how to participate in house work.
5Â Â Love: They show love and teach their member how to reciprocate love.
6Â Â Religious Beliefs: They teach members to fear,respect and honour God.
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Evaluation Questions
- Define family.
- Mention five function of the family.
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OTHER NAMES BY WHICH WE REFER TO OTHER RELATIVES IN THE FAMILY
Your parents’ parents are your – grand parents
Your mother’s or father’s brothers – uncles
Your mother’s or father’s sisters – aunts
Your brother’s or sister’s sons – nephews
Your brother’s or sister’s daughter – niece
Your uncle’s or aunt’s children – first cousins
Your first cousin’s children and your own children – second cousins
Half-sister/half-brother:Â children with whom you share either your mother or your father but have separate mother or father
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ROLES OR RESPONSIBILITIES OR FUNCTIONS OF FAMILY MEMBERS
Role of the Father
- He is the head of the family.
- He provides for the family’s need such as shelter/house, food, clothing, school fees etc.
- He disciplines family members.
- He acts as a model for his children by showing them good examples.
- He shows love to family members and protects them.
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Roles of the Mother
- She bears the children.
- She prepares food for the family.
- She cares for the house and family clothing.
- She contributes to family income with father.
- She takes care of the simple needs of the family.
- She acts as a model for her daughters by showing them good example.
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Role of the Children
- As children grow up they are expected to:
- Respect and obey their parents and adults in the society.
- Help their mother with household work, e.g. cleaning the house, washing plates, caring for younger ones etc.
- Love themselves and their parents.
- Learn the culture of the society.
- Work with parents in the farm where such exists.
General Evaluation Questions
- Define family.
- Mention types of family
- State roles of the children in the family.
- Define Home economics.
- Mention two importance of Home economics tom the family and nation..
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT (SECTION A)
- Polygamous family means a family with—— (a) one wife (b) more than one wife (c) a teenager as a wife (d)many children.
- Which of the following shows how family members are related? (a) family picture (b) family tree (c) family form (d) family album.
- Your brother’s or sister’s son is your (a) niece (b) cousin (c) nephew (d) aunt.
- The father is the —– of the family (a) coordinator (b)messenger    (c)      bread winner (d) errand man
- The—— type of family consists of the husband, wives, children, uncle and relations (a) polygamous (b) extended (c) nuclear (d) polyandry
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SECTION BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
- Explain the types of family.
- List three functions of the family.
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See also
HEALTHY FEEDING HABIT AND EATING PRACTICES