Family anthropology

elementary family, in sociology and anthropology, a group of people who are united by ties of
partnership and parenthood and consisting of a pair of adults and their socially recognized children.
Typically, but not always, the adults in a nuclear family are married. Although such couples are most
often a man and a woman, the definition of the nuclear family has expanded with the advent of same-
sex marriage. Children in a nuclear family may be the couples biological oradopted offspring.
Closely related in form to the predominant nuclear-family unit are the conjugal family and
theconsanguineal family. As its name implies, the conjugal family is knit together primarily by the
marriage tie and consists of mother, father, their children, and some close relatives. The consanguineal
family, on the other hand, typically groups itself around a unilineal descent group known as a lineage, a
form that reckons kinship through either the fathers or the mothers line but not both. Whether a culture
is patrilineal or matrilineal, a consanguineal family comprises lineage relatives and consists of parents,
their children, and their childrens children. Rules regarding lineage exogamy, or out-marriage, are
common in these groups; within a given community, marriages thus create cross-cutting social and
political ties between lineages.
The stability of the conjugal family depends on the quality of the marriage of the husband and wife, a
relationship that is more emphasized in the kinds of industrialized, highly mobile societies that frequently
demand that people reside away from their kin groups. The consanguineal family derives its stability
from its corporate nature and its permanence, as its relationships emphasize the perpetuation of the
line.
Family identity
Next to religion, the most important element of any cultural renewal in the West is going to be
the restoration of marriage and family, and by extension a renewal of family identity.
The stronger that identity is, the more comfortable our children will be in their own
skins, because they are a unique part of a strong groupa group that accepts them as
they are. This is crucial for their developing faith in their own inner choice-making
abilities rather than relying on peer pressure, the media, and other outside influences
as guiding beacons. Sadly, children whose families have weak identities often seek
guidance from less pristine influences to achieve a sense of belonging that they havent
been able to gain within the confines of their homes.
The Faith. Children should be instructed in the faith of their parents from the cradle onward,
taken to church, and taught to memorize the prayers and songs of their tradition.

Build on what you have. maintain relationships with existing relatives and friends, carry on
family traditions, and preserve historical memories. Visit the graves of departed ancestors.
Learn, teach, and transmit your family's story. This may not be realistic for everyone, but if a
healthy degree of family continuity can be maintained, it will be a great source of emotional
comfort and stability for your children.
Tradition. few traditions have been handed down to you. In the popular literature of family life,
it is often suggested that families "invent" their own "traditions", but this advice contains the
seed of its own demise. Traditions are not invented, they are received. the wisdom of the
Catholic Church is such that every Catholic has access to beautiful traditions that are specific to
his own nation, region and culture: these should be adopted and passed on to one's children with
the greatest reverence and love.
Character and charism. Some families produce an abundance of hard-working, reliable, others
have a strong military tradition; and still others tend toward public service. There is, of course,
variety within these identities, and the family charism is not meant to suppress individual gifts
that depart from it. But in general a family's charism should be nurtured, cultivated, encouraged
and loved, and in most cases the individual will flourish in this context.

Family dinners are crucial opportunities to strengthen this sense of identity, because its
a wonderful time for children to freely express themselves as individuals as well as
members of the family.

Charter of the Rights of the Family
The family is the basic cell of society. Healthy families foster a healthy society. The Charter of the Rights
of the Family knows its origin to the demand made by the Synod of Bishops which met in Rome in
October 1980 on the subject: The Roles of the Christian family in the world of today. The Synod of
Bishops of 1980 discussed among other things the situation of the family and noted both its positive and
its negative aspects. Among the negative aspects which were singled out by the Bishops, particular
attention was given to the difficulties in which numerous families in many nations found themselves
because of institutions and laws which did not help people to know the inviolable rights of the family or
even threatened these rights. Pope John Paul II, accepted what was suggested by the Synod Fathers and
he asked the Holy See to elaborate the Charter of the Rights of the Family. The Charter of the Rights of
the Family came into being in a climate of contrasts and the refusal of values. Unfortunately, it was
established that in many nations one or more values or rights of the family was being violated. The
Charter of the Rights of the Family was presented to the press on 24 November 1983. Addressing all
people, Institutions and Authorities who are entrusted with the mission of the family in the world, the
Document contains the formulation of those inalienable rights which are inherent to that natural and
universal society which is the family nucleus and which States have the duty to defend. The Charter itself
opens with a Preamble which illustrates the motives that inspired it, and recalls the attention to some
essential points about the nature of marriage and of the family, as well as to the human and spiritual
value of the family in todays world. The Charter is a formulation and a proclamation of principles that
are original, natural and written in conscience which nobody can ignore or refuse. The Charter of the
Rights of the Family wants to be one of these truths that the Church proclaims to the men and women of
our times. This is a seed that needs to bear fruit in order to ensure that all families H of whatever creed or
culture Henjoy a better future.

Marriage
Marriage (also called matrimony or wedlock) is a socially or ritually recognized union or legal contract
between spouses that establishes rights and obligations between them, between them and their
children, and between them and their in-laws. The definition of marriage varies according to different
cultures, but it is principally an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and
sexual, are acknowledged. In some cultures, marriage is recommended or considered to be compulsory
before pursuing any sexual activity. Marriage can be recognized by a state, an organization, a religious
authority, a tribal group, a local community or peers. It is often viewed as a contract. Civil marriage is a
marriage without religious content carried out by a government institution in accordance withmarriage
laws of the jurisdiction, and recognised as creating the rights and obligations intrinsic to matrimony.
Marriages can be performed in a secular civil ceremony or in a religious setting via
a wedding ceremony. Historically, in most cultures, married women had very few rights of their own,
being considered, along with the family's children, the property of the husband; as such, they could not
own or inherit property, or represent themselves legally. In Europe, the United States, and a few other
places, from the late 19th century throughout the 21st century, marriage has undergone gradual legal
changes, aimed at improving the rights of women. These changes included giving wives a legal identity
of their own, abolishing the right of husbands to physically discipline their wives, giving wives property
rights, liberalizing divorce laws, and requiring a wife's consent when sexual relations occur.
Types of marriage
Monogamy
Serial monogamy
Polygamy
Child marriage
Same-sex and third gender marriages
Temporary marriages
Forced marriage



Rights of the Parents
The law allows parents to bring up their children according to their own values and beliefs. This means that you have the
right to make decisions about how you bring up your children without interference unless there are very good reasons and
your child's wellbeing is at risk.
Decisions such as religion, schooling, discipline, medical treatment and where your child lives are your right and
responsibility to make. These decisions will not be interfered with unless, for example, your child is badly treated, is not
receiving education, is not allowed medical treatment when it is needed or there is an order by a court.
As a parent you have a duty to:
Protect your child from harm.
Provide your child with food, clothing and a place to live.
Financially support your child.
Provide safety, supervision and control.
Provide medical care.
Provide an education.
It's important that children understand what your responsibilities are as their parent.
The rights of parents and children are contained in article 3 of the Convention of the Rights of
the Child (CRC) and article 24(1) of theInternational Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
(ICCPR).
Under the CRC, countries are required to respect the responsibilities, rights and duties of
parents or other persons who have responsibility for the child to provide direction and guidance
in the child's exercise of the rights recognised in the CRC.

Childrens rights
Children's rights are the human rights of children with particular attention to the rights of special
protection and care afforded to minors,
[1]
including their right to association with both parents, human
identity as well as the basic needs for food, universal state-paid education, health care and criminal laws
appropriate for the age and development of the child, equal protection of the child's civil rights, and
freedom from discrimination on the basis of the child's race, gender, sexual orientation, gender
identity, national origin,religion, disability, color, ethnicity, or other characteristics. Interpretations of
children's rights range from allowing children the capacity for autonomous action to the enforcement of
children being physically, mentally and emotionally free from abuse, though what constitutes "abuse" is
a matter of debate. Other definitions include the rights to care and nurturing.
[2]

"A child is any human being below the age of eighteen years, unless under the law applicable to the
child, majority is attained earlier."
[3]
According to Cornell University, a child is a person, not a subperson.
The term "child" often, but does not necessarily, mean minor, but can include adult children as well as
adult nondependent children.
[4]
There are no definitions of other terms used to describe young people
such as "adolescents", "teenagers," or "youth" in international law,
[5]
but the children's rights movement
is considered distinct from the youth rights movement.
Children have two types of human rights under international human rights law. Firstly, they have the
same fundamental general human rights as adults, although some human rights, such as the right to
marry, are dormant until they are of age, Secondly, they have special human rights that are necessary
to protect them during their minority.
[18]
General rights operative in childhood include the right to security
of the person, to freedom from inhuman, cruel, or degrading treatment, and the right to special
protection during childhood.
[19]
Particular human rights of children include, among other rights, the right
to life, the right to a name, the right to express his views in matters concerning the child, theright to
freedom of thought, conscience and religion, the right to health care, the right to protection from
economic and sexual exploitation, and the right to education.
[20]
Children's rights are defined in
numerous ways, including a wide spectrum of civil, cultural, economic, social and political rights.
One Canadian organization categorizes children's rights into three categories:
Provision: Children have the right to an adequate standard of living, health care, education and
services, and to play and recreation. These include a balanced diet, a warm bed to sleep in, and
access to schooling.
Protection: Children have the right to protection from abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination.
This includes the right to safe places for children to play; constructive child rearing behavior, and
acknowledgment of the evolving capacities of children.
Participation: Children have the right to participate in communities and have programs and
services for themselves. This includes children's involvement in libraries and community
programs, youth voice activities, and involving children as decision-makers.
[21]


Family social rights and social policy
Economic, social and cultural rights are socio-economic human rights, such as the right to
education, right to housing, right to adequate standard of living, right to health and the right to science
and culture. Economic, social and cultural rights are recognised and protected in international and
regional human rights instruments. Member states have a legal obligation to respect, protect and fulfil
economic, social and cultural rights and are expected to take "progressive action" towards their
fulfilment.
The Universal Declaration on Human Rights recognises a number of economic, social and cultural rights
and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) is the primary
international legal source of economic, social and cultural rights. The Convention on the Rights of the
Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women recognises
and protects many of the economic, social and cultural rights recognised in the ICESCR in relation to
children and women. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination prohibits
discrimination on the basis of racial or ethnic origin in relation to a number of economic, social and
cultural rights. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilitiesalso prohibits all discrimination
on the basis of the disability including refusal of the reasonable accommodation relating to full
enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights.
Social rights are those that are necessary for full participation in the life of society. They include at least the right to
education and the right to found and maintain a family but also many of the rights often regarded as civil rights: for
example, the rights to recreation, health care, privacy and freedom from discrimination.
Social policy primarily refers to guidelines, principles, legislation and activities that affect the living
conditions conducive to human welfare. The Department of Social Policy at the London School of
Economics defines social policy as "an interdisciplinary and applied subject concerned with the analysis
of societies' responses to social need. It seeks to foster in its students a capacity to understand theory
and evidence drawn from a wide range of social science disciplines, including economics, sociology,
psychology, geography, history, law, philosophy and political science. Social Policy is focused on those
aspects of the economy, society and policy that are necessary to human existence and the means by
which they can be provided. These basic human needs include: water, food, and shelter, a sustainable
and safe environment, the promotion of health and treatment of the sick, the care and support of those
unable to live a fully independent life; and the education and training of individuals to a level that
enables them fully to participate in their society".
[1]
The Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy
at Harvard University describes social policy as "public policy and practice in the areas of health care,
human services,criminal justice, inequality, education, and labor."
[2]
Social policy might also be
described as actions that affect the well-being of members of a society through shaping the distribution
of and access to goods and resources in that society.
[3]
Social policy often deals with wicked problems.
[4]