Importance Of Family Tasks

Family functioning revolves around certain tasks performed by the members or the whole family. The members of the family are responsible for maintaining a healthy family by performing these tasks. The tasks performed by the family are broadly grouped into two types of tasks. They are first order tasks and second order tasks.

First oOrder tTasks: There are certain the tasksprimary tasks that are common to all families. regardless of their composition, socioeconomic status, and cultural, ethnic, or racial heritage. These tasks are called first order tasks.They do not depend on the type of family or the number of family members. These tasks include setting up rules, imposing boundaries, and Examples of first order tasks include regulating boundaries,

These tasks refer to actions that family members take in response to any change in their situation or vary depending on the family’s current situation and need. The family may adapt these tasks to suit their needs. These tasks are called second order tasks. For eExample, a death in the family or a new job in another city may require changes in the roles and responsibilities of family members. This may also mean modifying or changing previous rules. For example, the death of the husband in a conservative family may mean the wife now has to go out to work. s of these tasks include managing stress within the family or of specific members, adapting to certain situations, and so on.

Family roles are repetitive patterns of behavior based on which people fulfill family functions and needs. Just like the common functions that all family members carry out, there are certain roles that are common to all or some members of the family. Various family members broadly fulfill two roles. These are instrumental roles and affective roles. Let’s look at each one of

Based on who the family member is, members may fulfil one or both roles in the family.

You have learned about some of the common family roles. However, as part of a family, each one of us has different roles to play. Every family member carries out certain roles, such as that of a child, a parent, a grandparent, and so on. Each role has certain expectations and functions attached to it. Some of these functions may be interchangeable among family members. Let’s look at some of the common family roles and the expectations attached to each one of them.

Parent: Parental roles develop from expectations about what a father and mother should do. Society expects parents to take care of the biological and basic needs of their children, such as food, shelter, sound sleep, and so on. Parents financially support the family and make important decisions. They not only nurture, guide, protect, and support the children but also act as role models for them.

Spouse: A spouse's role develops from expectations about what husbands and wives should do. Spouses often share the major responsibilities of the house together. This may include raising the children, working and earning, taking major decisions for the family, and so