Marriage and family are key structures in many societies. Many of us learn from a young age that finding and joining the right person is a key to happiness and security. We’re told that children need two parents. Many of the tax laws, medical laws, retirement benefit laws, and banking and loan processes seem to favor or assume marriage. Should those assumptions be changed? Is marriage still the foundation of the family and our society? In 1960, 66 percent of households in America were headed by a married couple. That meant that most children grew up in such households, as did their friends and extended families. Marriage could certainly be seen as the foundation of the culture. By 2010, that number of households headed by married couples had dropped to 45 percent (Luscombe 2014). The approximately 20 percent drop is more than just a statistic; it has significant practical effects. It means that nearly every child in most parts of America is either in or is close to a family that is not headed by a married couple. It means that teachers and counselors and even people who meet children in a restaurant can’t assume they live with two married parents. Some view this decline as a problem with outcomes related to values, crime, financial strength, and mental health. Sociologists may study that viewpoint to determine if it is actually true. What is marriage? Not even sociologists are able to agree on a single meaning. For our purposes, we’ll define marriage as a legally recognized social contract between two people, traditionally based on a sexual relationship and implying a permanence of the union. In practicing cultural relativism, we should also consider variations, such as whether a legal union is required, whether more than two people can be involved, or whether the marriage is a religious one or a civil one. Sociologists are interested in the relationship between the institution of marriage and the institution of family because, historically, marriages are what create a family, and families are the most basic social unit upon which society is built. Both marriage and family create status roles that are sanctioned by society. The question of what constitutes a family may be an even more difficult one to answer; it’s a prime area of debate in family sociology, as well as in politics and religion. Social conservatives tend to define the family in terms of structure with each family member filling a certain role (like father, mother, or child). Sociologists, on the other hand, tend to define family more in terms of the manner in which members relate to one another than on a strict configuration of status roles. Here, we’ll define family as a socially recognized group (usually joined by blood, marriage, cohabitation, or adoption) that forms an emotional connection and serves as an economic unit of society. Sociologists identify different types of families based on how one enters into them. A family of orientation refers to the family into which a person is born. A family of procreation describes one that is formed through marriage. These distinctions have cultural significance related to issues of lineage. Drawing on two sociological paradigms, the sociological understanding of what constitutes a family can be explained by symbolic interactionism as well as functionalism. These two theories indicate that families are groups in which participants view themselves as family members and act accordingly. In other words, families are groups in which people come together to form a strong primary group connection and maintain emotional ties to one another over a long period of time. Such families may include groups of close friends or teammates. In addition, the functionalist perspective views families as groups that perform vital roles for society—both internally (for the family itself) and externally (for society as a whole). Families provide for one another’s physical, emotional, and social well-being. Parents care for and socialize children. Later in life, adult children often care for elderly parents. While interactionism helps us understand the subjective experience of belonging to a “family,” functionalism illuminates the many purposes of families and their roles in the maintenance of a balanced society (Parsons and Bales 1956). We will go into more detail about how these theories apply to family in the following pages.
THE FAMILY AS PSYCHOLOGICAL REALITY
Family – the subject of psychological science
In the Soviet science the Family and Marriage became the subject of a special psychological study only in the late 1960s.
The field of family and marriage psychology is experiencing significant growth in Russian psychological science, marked by the establishment of research institutes and laboratories dedicated to this area Numerous scientific studies are being conducted, and higher educational institutions are introducing specialized programs and departments in family psychology This surge in interest has led to the publication of various textbooks and manuals, as well as the organization of conferences addressing contemporary family issues Since the 1980s, "Psychology of the Family and Family Relations" has been offered as an academic discipline in universities and high schools, further emphasizing its importance in the educational landscape.
Many universities in the CIS countries, including M.V Lomonosov Moscow State University, St Petersburg State University, M Tank Belarusian State Pedagogical University, and P.G Demidov Yaroslavl State University, offer courses in family psychology, family counseling, and psychotherapy.
Since the early 1990s, Kazakhstan has integrated the psychology of family and marriage into higher education, with a specialized training course developed for psychology students The author of this training manual first introduced the course at E.A Buketov Karaganda State University in 1992 and later at Al-Farabi Kazakh National State University in 1999.
Since 1999, a specialized course on Family Psychology has been offered under various titles, yet student interest in Marriage and Family Relations has consistently remained strong The works of M.P Kabakova are particularly popular among both students and educators involved in teaching different facets of family psychology.
K.B Zharikbayev, a prominent Kazakh scientist, educator, and psychologist, has significantly contributed to the development of textbooks and training manuals for the school course on Ethics and Psychology of Family Life in Kazakh schools, emphasizing the importance of preparing high school students for their future family lives.
Presently, experimental researches aimed at solving of the most immediate problems of the modern family have been started in Ka- zakh psychological science.
The pioneering works of Z.Sh Karakulova, Z.M Balgimbayeva, A.Zh Davletova, K.A Aidarbekov, M.P Kabakova, A.B Valiyeva, S.K Kudai-bergenova, E.G Grishchenko, B.A Amirova, and G.K Slanbekova have significantly contributed to the study of family and marital interactions, as well as socialization within the family By analyzing these studies through a systematic approach, which views the family as an independent psychological system with key subsystems—husband-wife, parents-children, and siblings—we can discern the unique characteristics of each subsystem and their interrelationships.
The research conducted by Z Sh Karakulova highlights the link between a person's suicidal behavior and their family upbringing, particularly noting how non-involvement or inadequate involvement in family life can contribute to such behavior This study emphasizes the importance of understanding the integrity of the family education system, as well as the unique personal complexities of individuals who attempt suicide, to gain deeper insights into the family's role in personality development.
Z.M Balgimbayeva's research highlights the family as a crucial psychological unit within an ethnos, influencing children's sexual socialization and contributing to the development of ethnic sexual biases The study, which examined three ethnic groups—Kazakh, Russian, and Uyghur—revealed significant ethnic differences in these sexual biases for the first time.
A.Z Davletova's research examined personality orientation within the psychological space of Kazakh parental families, focusing on the impact of a child's birth order among siblings (eldest, middle, youngest) The study specifically targeted families with at least two children and provided novel insights by being the first to analyze the unique personality orientations present in Kazakh families, along with the underlying reasons for these characteristics.
Along with that, differences in personal attributes of children holding different positions in a parent family were discovered
K.A Aidarbekov's research focuses on how the organization and functioning of family systems influence the development of dialogical self-awareness in adolescents The study highlights that the primary driver of this development is the active participation in family activities that promote the preservation and transmission of family values This process is further enhanced by effective communication and emotional interactions among family members.
A study by M.P Kabakova aimed to identify the factors that stabilize marital relations amidst the rising divorce rates For the first time, the family was viewed as a collective entity engaged in shared daily activities The research found that the stabilization of marital relations results from these joint activities, which foster a common fund of semantic complexes that both partners adopt The degree of coherence in family values, attitudes, perceptions, and expectations among spouses serves as an indicator of this common fund's formation Thus, shared livelihoods emerge as the primary system-forming factor within the family structure.
Writings of A.B Valiyeva [11, 12] studied characteristics of the emotional state, the scope of value systems of divorced women and their choice of behavior strategies in the after-divorce period.
Results of the research enrich the characterization of a behavior of an individual in the situation of divorce in the current life condi- tions.
S.K Kudaibergenova's research focused on identifying the various types of parental relationships in families with children who have mental health issues, emphasizing the importance of psychological support for parents of children with mental disabilities.
E.G Grishchenko's thesis explores the social and psychological dynamics of child-parent relationships within Kazakh and Russian family systems, highlighting their interactions in a shared multicultural environment.
In her monograph, B.A Amirova examines the factors and mechanisms that shape individual ethnic self-awareness and the role of ethnic prejudices within it The study highlights the unique communication processes within the extended Kazakh family, which serves as a primary institution for the ethnosocialization of individuals.
G.K Slanbekova's thesis, titled "Social and Psychological Factors of Coping with Psychological Trauma in a Divorce Situation," represents the second comprehensive experimental study focused on the adaptation of divorced individuals Defended in 2015, this research builds upon the foundational work of A.B Valiyeva, which was presented a decade earlier.
In the study, G.K Slankbekova empirically determined factors for the success of post-mortem coping with psychological trauma in a divorce situation As a result, the following are highlighted:
– gender characteristics of coping: adaptability after divorce is higher for men;
The concept of ôfamilyằ, ômarriageằ, ômatrimonyằ
Family is the most important of phenomena accompanying a per- son throughout their lifetime
The family, as a complex and multifaceted social institution, significantly influences individuals, leading to diverse approaches and definitions in academic literature Its study encompasses the family as a small group and a system of relationships, highlighting its problematical nature and the various dynamics involved.
A.I Antonov, a prominent Russian social psychologist and sociologist, emphasized that the parent-child dynamic forms the foundation of the family, while marriage serves as a formal acknowledgment of the relationship between a man and a woman He highlighted the importance of spatial localization within the family context, encompassing aspects such as home, property, and the economic foundation that supports the family's activities beyond mere daily routines and consumerism.
According to A.I Antonov, a family is a community formed by the bonds of marriage, parenthood, and kinship, which facilitates population reproduction, generational continuity, child socialization, and mutual support among its members The nuclear family serves as the foundational structure, characterized by the interconnected relationships of spouses, parents, and children Antonov suggests that the absence of any of these connections leads to fragmented family units To understand the family comprehensively, one must consider the various relationships within it, including those between husbands and wives, parents and children, and among siblings These structural elements, while relatively independent, contribute to the family's social and psychological cohesion, indicating that a complete family encompasses all these relational dynamics.
In this way, only the presence of a triune relationship: matrimo- ny-parenthood-kinship allows us to talk about the family formation
The presence of one or two relationships indicates the fragmentary nature of family groups that have not yet formed a complete family unit, such as newlywed couples without children or parents lacking blood relations Additionally, these groups may consist of families that once existed but have lost their status due to events like death or divorce Therefore, associations formed when one of the three key relationships is absent can be referred to as "family groups."
Marriage and family are inherently linked concepts, yet they possess distinct characteristics Research indicates that marriage and family developed during different historical eras A.G Kharchev, a notable Russian sociologist, defined marriage as a socially evolving framework governing the relationship between a woman and a man, through which society oversees and legitimizes their sexual relations, as well as delineates their rights and responsibilities in marriage and parenting.
The family represents a more intricate web of relationships compared to marriage, as it encompasses not only spouses but also their children and other relatives, creating a network of close connections and support among individuals.
Family serves as a fundamental social unit, essential for organizing daily life through marital unions and familial connections It encompasses relationships among spouses, parents, children, siblings, and other relatives who cohabit and manage a shared household.
Based on the analysis of the above definitions the conclusion can be made that the family is the complex multidimensional formation, where there are 4 characteristics:
1) Family is a social unit (a small social group);
2) Family is the most important form of person’s everyday life organization;
3) Family is the union of spouses;
4) Family means multilateral relations of spouses with relatives: children, parents, brothers and sisters, grandfathers and grandmothers, etc., living together and maintaining a common household Accord- ing to L.B Schneider, the family is a system-functional association of emotionally close and significant people on the basis of matrimony, kinship and parenthood [25].
Matrimony has recently been recognized as a distinct structural unit due to significant social and economic transformations in contemporary society that foster equality among men and women Defined as the personal interaction between a husband and wife, matrimony is governed by moral principles and inherent values This definition highlights the non-institutional nature of their communication and underscores the equality and symmetry in the moral obligations and privileges of both spouses.
Family relations and family organization, having a social and his- torical dependence, are not constant formations, undergoing changes in the process of social development.
Evolution of marriage and family institute
The family is a historical phenomenon shaped by industrial and social relations as well as cultural development Thinkers throughout history have defined the nature and essence of the family differently Notably, the ancient Greek philosopher Plato viewed the family as the fundamental social unit from which states emerge However, his views were inconsistent; in his concept of the "Ideal State," he suggested a communal approach to wives, children, and property to promote social cohesion This notion of communal living was not new, as the ancient historian Herodotus noted the practice among certain tribes in his work, "History," highlighting the enduring presence of such ideas throughout ancient history.
Aristotle expanded on Plato's concept of the family as the fundamental social unit, asserting that families form "settlements," which collectively create a state This perspective on the family has been influential for centuries Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a prominent French Enlightenment thinker, emphasized this idea by stating, "The oldest of all societies and the only natural one is the family the family is, if you wish, the prototype of political societies; a ruler is like a father, and people are like children."
Throughout history, philosophers from antiquity to the modern age have linked social relations to family dynamics, emphasizing the family's role in relation to the state rather than defining the family as a distinct social institution.
The rationale for the historical variability of marriage and fam- ily was for the first time presented in the work of a Swiss historian
I Bachofen ôMyth, religion and mother rightằ, which was published in 1861 Later, the work of an American scientist L Morgan ôAncient Societyằ, published in 1877, was of great importance for justification of evolutionary ideas.
Many views were expressed over the past centuries regarding the family, and they were mostly subjective.
The systematic and scientific examination of the family began with F Engels's seminal work, "The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State," which utilized the ethnographic research of L Morgan to support its findings.
F Engels at the same time has freed them from erroneous schemes and supplemented with new knowledge and conclusions He showed that development of family and marriage was eventually provided by the development of production This allowed him not only to trace changes of the family and marriage in the past, but also to conclude that this social institution will constantly evolve and change
F Engels emphasized that the distinctive feature of social struc- ture that is going to replace capitalism, will be the forming of the new type marriage based on individual sexual love but not the disappear- ance of the marriage itself Marriage will become truly free, for there will be no other motive other than the mutual feelings of a man and a woman The economic considerations that have caused women to be reconciled with the unfaithfulness of their husbands, the dominance of men and the indissolubility of marriage will wither away, ô the equality of women achieved thanks to this fact, based on former ex- perience will contribute infinitely more to the real monogamy of men than polyandry of womenằ [32, p 84].
F Engels, however, did not try to give an accurate description of the marriage of a future, since he realized the variability of this insti- tution, its dependence on a variety of social factors He answered the question what is going to replace the contemporary form of marriage: ôIt will be determined when a new generation grows up: a generation of men who never in their lives will have to buy a woman for money or for other social means of power, and a generation of women who will neither have to give themselves to a man for any other motives other than true love, nor renounce closeness with a beloved man because of fear of economic consequencesằ [32, p 85].
In the Western world systematic study of the family started in the
In the 20th century, significant advancements in sexology and family dynamics emerged, laying the groundwork for social psychology This era marked the expansion of social and psychological perspectives on family relationships, highlighting the intricate interplay between individual behaviors and familial interactions.
Throughout history, the regulation of gender relations has evolved significantly, with various forms emerging across different tribal unions and societies These regulations were often reflective of the specific social and economic development levels within each community, highlighting the dynamic nature of gender roles over time.
In primitive human herds, sexual relations were initially random, but over time, this led to disorganization, causing conflicts during hunting preparations and a lack of unity in the hunt Such disruptions hindered the development of production relations and posed a threat to the survival of the community To address these issues, primitive societies established sexual taboos—prohibitions that helped regulate sexual instincts and maintain social cohesion.
A significant milestone in the regulation of sexual relations between men and women was the prohibition of sexual intercourse between parents and their children, marking a historical shift from a pre-marital society, where sexual behavior was driven by nature, to a structured marriage system The emergence of group marriage coincided with the development of the genus, characterized in early primitive communal systems by dual-generic marriages that enforced exogamy, or the complete ban on sexual relationships within one’s family and the necessity to engage with members of other tribes Various theories exist regarding the origins of exogamy.
1) blood relation marriages gave birth to inadequate children; 2) life demanded the expansion of social contacts; 3) possibility to achieve a social peace within the genus The most likely cause of exogamy was a combination of all three causes Such an alliance has not yet led to the creation of families Children belonged to the whole tribe and were brought up by a commune.
Endogamous marriages occur within a tribe made up of two monogamous clans, where sexual relations between members of mating clans are strictly prohibited, leading to a state of full agamy Additionally, temporary agamy is observed during specific periods, such as seasonal work, when abstention from sexual relations is enforced due to cultural taboos.
Group marriage encompasses polygamy, which is divided into polygyny (one man with multiple wives) and polyandry (one woman with multiple husbands) Polygyny, predominantly associated with patriarchal societies, is characterized by a man having several wives.
Basic approaches to studying the family
In contemporary family psychology, according to A.V Chernikov, we can distinguish two possible theoretical positions (approaches) with respect to the analysis of the family [34].
The family is a collective of individuals who share both common and diverse interests, serving as a crucial environment for socialization and individual development This perspective emphasizes the importance of social and psychological factors in understanding family dynamics.
From a social and psychological perspective, the family is viewed as a natural small social group, characterized by a community of individuals connected through interpersonal relationships rooted in shared activities, love, and affection.
Family as a small social group has a number of specific charac- teristics Yu.E Aleshina and L.Ya Gozman have noted the following characteristics of the family:
1 The family is a group that is maximally controlled in terms of norms (rigid ideas about the requirements to the family, relationships within it).
2 The peculiarity of the family is it’s small size: from 2 to 5-6 people in modern conditions, heterogeneity in terms of gender, age or one of these characteristics.
3 Closed nature of the family is the limited and regulated nature of the entrance and exit from it, confidentiality of functioning.
4 Polyfunctionality of the family, which brings not only to the complementary aspects of its life activity, but also to the multiple (of- ten conflicting) nature of family life roles.
5 Family is an extremely lasting group It is dynamic, the family history includes qualitatively different stages of development When analyzing the problems of the family it is impossible to abstract from the conscious and unconscious experience of observations in a par- ticular family.
6 General nature of the inclusion of an individual into the fam- ily A significant part of a human life is in communication with family members in the constant presence of positive and negative compo- nents.
Family as a small social group has a number of psychological peculiarities, characteristic only for it:
‒ presence of not one, but a number of general family purposes, which can change in the process of family development;
‒ partial difference in the interests and attitudes of family mem- bers;
‒ presence of a married couple, which relationships largely deter- mine the nature of the family interaction;
‒ involvement of different generations representatives and a much longer period of close acquaintance among its members than in other groups;
‒ family is not bound by joint activities in the meaning as the joint activities of other groups;
‒ multilateralism and the importance of family relations, and their interconnection;
‒ special openness, vulnerability of family members (L.B Schnei - der, 2006).
Communication plays a crucial role in shaping the social and psychological dynamics within a family, as it facilitates interpersonal relationships This essential process underpins the entire framework of human interactions within the family unit, influencing the overall system of intra-family relations.
Another aspect of the social and psychological processes inherent in the family is represented by the phenomenon of group pressure or ôconformismằ, group cohesion, psychological compatibility.
The second approach views the family as an integral system, a perspective that emerged in the late 1960s through systemic family psychotherapy This approach is rooted in L von Bertalanffy’s general theory of systems, which emphasizes an "organismic" view of life, focusing on the family as a whole rather than on individual members.
This system has the following characteristics:
‒ the system as a whole is much more than the sum of its parts;
‒ anything affecting the system as a whole affects every single element within the system;
‒ disorder or a change in the status of a part of the system is reflected in changing of other parts and the system as a whole
According to general systems theory, a family is more than just the sum of its individual members; it represents a complex network of relationships among all family members To truly understand the dynamics of a family, one must analyze the entire family system as a cohesive whole, rather than merely examining each member in isolation.
The functioning of the family system is determined by the inter- connected action of two laws – the law of homeostasis and the law of development [39].
Every family experiences a life cycle defined by a series of events and stages, as outlined by development law From its inception at birth to its eventual end at death, each family undergoes significant transformations, reflecting the organismic view of familial development.
The law of homeostasis emphasizes a system's inherent drive to preserve its stability and maintain essential parameters, fostering predictability in family dynamics and enhancing a sense of security.
From a systems approach perspective, the family is considered an open system that functions as a subsystem within the larger societal system, where its members engage in interactions both among themselves and with various external systems.
The family is a dynamic system that continuously evolves in response to external biological and social influences These external forces can positively or negatively affect the family, which in turn impacts other systems Consequently, the family strives to preserve its existing connections while also seeking to enhance its functioning and progress to a higher level.
From a psychological analysis perspective, the family operates as an independent psychological system composed of three interconnected subsystems: husband-wife, parents-children, and siblings The systematic approach highlights that issues faced by individual family members often reflect the overall dysfunction of the family system Thus, the family is viewed as a cohesive unit for psychological analysis and development.
Family as a self-developing system, according to V Satir, the American family psychologist, includes the following components: – basic elements (men and women, adults and children);
– common objectives (education of a rising generation, further development of all members of the family);
The effective functioning of a family system relies on established rules and the nature of communication among its members Additionally, the energetic dynamics of the family, characterized by the activity levels and vital roles of each member, play a crucial role in shaping their interactions and overall harmony.
– interaction with the outside world (the attitude of the family towards changes in life).
The family as a social system realizes its life through certain types of relations, which are its subsystems Subsystems have a well-defined set of connections and interactions.
Social and biological relations within the family encompass various aspects, including the dynamics of family size and sex-age composition, sexual relationships, birth and family planning, and the emotional bonds of kinship These factors play a crucial role in child upbringing, hygiene related to gender and sexual life, and the physical education of both children and adults Additionally, the issue of heredity is significant Throughout history, the family has been essential for maintaining the social and biological continuity of the human race, with no other institution providing an equivalent foundation.
Household and economic factors are fundamentally intertwined with social and biological relationships, forming the essential foundation of family life This encompasses effective household management, adherence to the family budget, financial support for children and dependents, and the equitable distribution of responsibilities in daily housekeeping tasks.
FUNCTIONALLY ROLE-PLAYING STRUCTURE
Contemporary family: its types, features, problems
Family structures vary widely, defined by criteria such as parenthood, marriage, and kinship, highlighting connections to either paternal or maternal lines This distinction leads to the identification of social and natural fatherhood and motherhood Based on the matri- and patri-localization of family groups, we can categorize families as patrilineal or matrilineal, where inheritance of family names, property, and social status follows either the paternal or maternal lineage.
Patriarchal families are characterized by the father as the head of the household, while matriarchal families place the mother in a position of highest authority In contrast, egalitarian families lack a clearly defined leader, with power shared equally between both parents based on situational circumstances.
In addition to the three family types previously mentioned, American sociologist Morris Zelditch identifies the partner family, characterized by joint discussions of family issues, mutual trust, and the autonomy of its members In this family structure, decision-making is collaborative, allowing for shared influence among spouses rather than a single authoritative figure.
E Arutyunyants' research on family psychological types identifies three distinct variants: traditional, child-centric, and democratic (marital) families.
In traditional families, respect for elders is emphasized, fostering a top-down pedagogical influence where obedience is paramount This socialization process enables children to integrate seamlessly into hierarchical social structures and absorb conventional norms However, such upbringing often leads to challenges in forming their own families, as these individuals tend to lack initiative, exhibit inflexible communication styles, and operate under a sense of obligation rather than personal choice.
A child-centric family prioritizes the psychological needs and happiness of the child, often placing the child in a dominant role within the family structure In these families, parents focus primarily on ensuring their child's well-being, leading to high self-esteem and a strong sense of self-worth in the child However, this dynamic can increase the likelihood of conflicts with the broader social environment, resulting in a heightened risk of disadaptation for the child outside the family setting.
A democratic family is built on mutual trust, acceptance, and the autonomy of its members, fostering a horizontal educational impact through dialogue among equals—parents and children In this family structure, the interests of the child are prioritized, and as the child matures, their preferences become increasingly significant in family decisions This approach cultivates democratic values in children, balancing their understanding of rights and responsibilities while promoting independence and active engagement However, it may also result in children struggling to adhere to societal norms and expectations (ref.: according to Druzhinin).
E Arutyunyants considers, that the infantilism of contemporary youth is a direct consequence of education in a childrencentric family She believes the reasons why the childcentrism appears are as follows:– extended life expectancy, coexistence of children’s and parents’ generations, ôface to faceằ existence when mother is only a mother and not a daughter;
– family nucleation, decreasing the number of children in the family;
– lack of clear norms authorizing relations between parents and children, which brought to a loss of distance between parents and children;
– changes in the education system: children under 17-22 need help of their parents.
Homogamous families consist of spouses who share similarities in social environment, nationality, age, profession, and education, while heterogamous families are characterized by their differences in these social and demographic factors.
Heterogamous families are those with differences in social and demo- graphic indicators.
Families can be categorized based on spatial-territorial localization into two types: patrilocal, where newly married couples reside with the husband's family, and matrilocal, where the couple lives with the wife's parents.
Modern urban families often exhibit uni-locality, where housing availability influences the residence of newlyweds This can result in evanculelocal families, who live with relatives, or neo-local families, who have the opportunity to reside independently from their parents.
Nuclear families are the most common ones in modern urbanized agglomerations.
A nuclear family is the fundamental family unit, typically comprising a married couple and their children, representing two generations This structure includes a maximum of three primary roles: father-husband, mother-wife, and either son-brother or daughter-sister.
Extended family is a family that unites two or more nuclear fam- ilies with a common household, and consists of three or more genera- tions – grandparents, parents and children (grandchildren).
A composite or complex nuclear family refers to a family structure arising from polygamous marriages, where there are two or more mothers in polygyny or multiple fathers in polyandry.
Blended families, often formed through remarriage, consist of spouses and their children, including those from previous relationships In these families, children from one or both partners may join together, creating a unique family dynamic.
The growth in divorces increased the proportion of such families, which earlier arose only in connection with the death of a spouse
Historically, children in remarried families had limited opportunities to experience family structures with two fathers and one mother, or one father and two mothers Consequently, the dynamics between children with only biological relatives and those with foster parents have become increasingly complex.
Structure and functions of the family
The family is defined by its essential functions and structure, which play a crucial role in meeting the needs of its members According to E.G Eidemiller, the family's vital activities are directly linked to fulfilling these needs, highlighting the importance of its functions.
Various authors distinguish different functions of the contempo- rary family According to I.V Grebennikov [4], the main functions of the family are:
1) reproductive (reproduction of life, i.e birth of children, con- tinuation of the human race);
2) economic (social production of means for life, restoration of the resources of adult members spent on production, housekeeping, availability of the family’s own budget, organization of consumer ac- tivities);
3) educational (formation of the child’s personality, systematic educational impact of the family on each of its members throughout their life, constant influence of children on parents and other adult family members);
4) communicative (mediation of the family in the contact of its members with mass media, literature and art, influence of the family on the multiple connections of its members with the environment and the nature of its perception, the organization of intra-family communi- cation, leisure and recreation).
M.S Matskovskii supplements main functions of the contemporary family with the following: economic, social and status, emotional, sex- ual, primary control sphere, and sphere of spiritual communication [5].
T.M Trapeznikova emphasizes the significant role of the therapeutic function of the psychological asylum in modern family life, which is influenced by the nature of marital relationships This therapeutic function relies on two key psychological mechanisms: emotional discharge, which alleviates stress, and the creation of a positive emotional charge.
Emotional closeness between spouses is crucial for the success of both mechanisms, which is fostered through effective communication and shared recreational activities.
Some authors, including A.G Kharchev, A.I Antonov, V.M Medkov, and G Navaitis, differentiate between specific and nonspecific functions of the family A.G Kharchev argues that specific functions stem from the intrinsic nature of the family as a social entity, while nonspecific functions arise from adaptations made by families in response to particular historical contexts (T.V Andreeva, 2005).
The family serves essential functions that persist despite societal changes, including reproduction (birth function), child maintenance (existential function), and socialization (upbringing function) While the dynamics between family and society may evolve over time, these fundamental roles remain constant throughout history.
The family serves various nonspecific functions, including the accumulation and transfer of property, the organization of production and consumption, and the provision of recreation and leisure It plays a crucial role in ensuring the health and well-being of its members while fostering a microclimate that promotes stress relief and self-preservation These functions highlight the historical relationship between family and society, illustrating the evolving dynamics of childbirth, maintenance, and upbringing within the family structure.
In certain historical periods the family performs all of or almost all of the above functions, in other periods a state undertakes a part of these functions.
Family structure is the composition of the family and the number of its members, as well as the complex of their relationships.
There are many different variants of a composition, or a structure of the family [6]:
‒ ôNuclearằ family consists of a husband, a wife and their children;
An expanded family, also known as an enlarged family, consists of a married couple and their children, along with relatives from other generations such as grandparents, uncles, and aunts These family members either live together or in close proximity, forming a cohesive family structure that emphasizes intergenerational connections.
‒ ôMixed familyằ is a ôrebuiltằ family, formed as a result of the marriage of divorced people
The mixed family includes step-parents and step-children, as chil- dren from a previous marriage are included into a new unit of the family;
A single parent family is a household led by one parent, either a mother or father, resulting from circumstances such as divorce, separation, the death of a partner, or the absence of a formal marriage.
In terms of composition A.I Antonov and V.M Medkov distin- guished:
Nuclear families, the most prevalent family structure today, consist of two generations: parents and their children This family model typically includes no more than three distinct roles: father-husband, mother-wife, and son-brother or daughter-sister.
‒ Extended families are families that unite two or more nuclear families with a common household and consist of three or more generations – grandparents, parents and children (grandchil- dren).
The authors highlight that in polygamous marriages, the presence of multiple wives or husbands within a nuclear family is referred to as a compound or complex nuclear family.
Remarried families (based on a second marriage) may include, apart from children of this marriage, children of one of the spouses’ previous marriage (A.I Antonov, V.M Medkov, 1996).
E.A Lichko has developed the following classification of families:
‒ complete family (with mother and father available);
‒ incomplete family (with only one parent available);
‒ distorted or deformed family (step-father instead of a father or step-mother instead of a mother).
There are various classifications of the types of distribution of roles in the family In other words, according to I.V Grebennikov, there are three types of distribution of family roles [4]:
In a centralistic family structure, often characterized by authoritarian and patriarchal traits, one spouse—typically the wife—holds supreme authority in making key decisions that shape family life.
‒ autonomous – a husband and a wife allocate roles and do not interfere in the sphere of influence of the other;
‒ democratic – family management is on the shoulders of both spouses approximately equally.
In terms of power criterion the types of family structures (A.I Anto- nov, V.M Medkov M., 1996) are divided into:
‒ patriarchal families, where the head of the family state is a father;
‒ matriarchal, where a mother enjoys the highest authority and influence, and
‒ egalitarian families in which there are no clearly defined family heads, and the situational distribution of power between father and mother prevails.
Analysis of the structure of the family makes it possible to un- derstand the distribution of functions in the family (E.G Eidemiller, V.V Yustitskis, 1999).
Structural and functional disorders in family life hinder the family's ability to fulfill its essential roles These disorders can manifest in various ways and are influenced by the family's stage in the life cycle, affecting both its structure and functions.
Dynamics (life-cycle) of the family
The life cycle of the family is the history of the family, its extent in time, own dynamics, family life that reflects the frequency, regular- ity of family events.
The family, as a fundamental social unit of natural origin, undergoes various developmental stages throughout its lifecycle This indicates that the family is dynamic rather than static The stages of the family life cycle involve the formation of the family, the arrival of new members, and the departure of older ones Such changes in family composition significantly impact its roles and functions.
In social psychology, the pinnacle of family community development is the establishment of a family collective This collective represents a qualitative measure of an organized family's evolution, rooted not only in emotional bonds among members but also in their shared responsibilities to fulfill essential social functions.
In a collaborative family environment, roles are flexible and adapt to the unique skills and abilities of each member Key characteristics of this dynamic include mutual support and trust, open discussions about family issues, and active participation in family matters.
According to renowned Russian philosopher and sociologist M.S Matskovskii, a key aspect of collective relationships is that only those genuinely involved in the group can truly embrace its norms and values These engaged members experience the moral influence of the family, possess defined rights and responsibilities, actively participate in discussions regarding shared matters, and remain well-informed about the challenges facing the collective.
In the scientific literature devoted to family problems various au- thors define the periodization of the stages (cycles) of family life in different ways.
Such periodization is often based on changing the place of chil- dren in the family structure For example, R Neubert distinguishes the following stages:
‒ life of the two together,
‒ life after birth of children,
‒ education of secondary school aged children,
‒ separation of children from parents and parenting grandchil- dren (cit ex: A.V Kuznetsov, 1986).
‒ family with children attending kindergarten,
‒ family where children are partly independent from their par- ents,
‒ family, that was left by children.
The following periodization is related to the statistics of family crises reflected in the works of C.S Grizitscas and N.V Malyarova
(1982), S Kratochvil (1985), Z Rosenthal (1989), M James (1985), V.A Sysenko (1989), G Navaitis (1985) It is established that in cer- tain periods of the family’s life cycle a tendency to crises and conflicts appears.
S Kratochvil identified the 4th to 6th and 17th to 25th years of a family's shared life as critical periods, highlighting that these recurring family crises are closely linked to changes in family functions and structural dynamics.
Based on the statistics of the number of divorces, it should be specified, that during the first 9 years of family life, according to
V.A Sysenko, about 2/3 of all divorces occur [13] The main divorce reasons include: parents’ interference with the life of young spouses (the duration of marriage is 0-2 years), different attitude to the up- bringing of children (of spouses married 5-10 years).
As families progress through different stages of development, specific causes of instability emerge, with the inability to revive marital relations being a key factor This phenomenon is rooted in the cyclical nature of positive emotions within marriage, where temporary cooling periods are natural Such fluctuations stem from the body's adaptive mechanisms; prolonged exposure to the same stimuli can lead to emotional fatigue When one partner does not engage in self-improvement, the constant interaction can result in feelings of saturation and a desire for emotional respite This need for distance manifests emotionally as boredom, irritation, or even dislike, potentially escalating into conflicts and quarrels.
V Satir offered another periodization of family life [14] She stat- ed that as far as each member of the family collective grows, the fam- ily should go through certain stages All these stages are accompanied by a crisis and increased anxiety In total 10 crises are distinguished: from the first one, impregnation, pregnancy and birth of a child, to the tenth, when one of the spouses dies, and then the second spouse
V Satir emphasized that these are natural crises experienced by most people However, when three or four crises occur simultaneously, the life becomes more tense and anxious than usual.
Among the many points of view on the family development pe- riodization one more can be identified Foreign experts Dorothy and
Raphael Beckvar (1988) highlighted the reciprocal influence between personality and family dynamics, suggesting that both shape each other He and D Beckvar identified common developmental milestones for individuals within family settings They proposed a general principle for the periodization of personality and family development, emphasizing the importance of emotional growth and the completion of specific tasks Without addressing these critical developmental tasks, transitioning to new stages of personal and familial growth becomes challenging (Schneider, 2000).
Based on this principle and the facts and arguments presented earlier, the Baltic psychologist G Navaitis considered it possible to identify the following stages in the development of the family:
1 Premarital communication At this stage a person has to achieve partial psychological and material independence from the ge- netic family, gain experience of communication with another gender, choose a marriage partner, and acquire experience of emotional and business communication with him/her.
2 Marriage is adoption of conjugal social roles.
3 ôHoneymoonằ phase Its tasks include the recipience of changes in the intensity of feelings, the establishment of psychological and spa- tial distance with genetic families, the acquisition of experience of inter- action in solving the issues connected with everyday life of the family, the creation of intimacy, the primary harmonization of family roles.
4 Young family stage Scope of the stage: the decision to con- tinue the family – wife’s return to professional activity or child’s at- tending a pre-school institution.
5 Mature family, i.e a family that performs all its functions If at the fourth stage the family has increased its membership, then at the fifth the family is supplemented with new personalities Parents’ roles change accordingly Their ability to meet the needs of the child in care, in safety should be complemented with the ability to educate, organize the social ties of the child.
The stage concludes when children attain a level of partial independence from their parental family This transition is marked by the resolution of emotional tasks within the family, achieved when the psychological influence between parents and children reaches a balance, allowing all family members to become relatively autonomous.
In the family of mature individuals, marital relationships are revitalized, and family roles evolve to include new responsibilities, such as actively participating in the education of grandchildren.
Among periodizations over tasks characteristic of each period, peri- odization of the Russian psychologist E.K Vasileva is the most popular.
In foreign psychology the periodization of the family life cycle of
R Hill prevails (cit ex: L.B Schneider, 2000, p 150).
In our view, the most effective approach for addressing applied issues in family psychology is M Erikson's periodization of the family life cycle, as referenced by L.B Schneider (2000, p 151) This framework identifies distinct phases within the family life cycle, providing valuable insights for understanding family dynamics.
‒ marriage and its effects (marriage behavior);
‒ birth of a child and interaction with him/her;
‒ separation of children from parents;
This periodization of M Erickson has some similarities with the periodization proposed by G Navaitis.
Carter and McGoldring (1980) distinguished six stages of the life cycle of the family:
1) extrafamilial status: single and unmarried people who did not start their own family;
5) separation of grown-up children from a family;
6) family at a late stage of development
1) very young marriages – from 0 up to 4 years of marriage;
2) young marriages – from 5 to 9 years;
3) average marriages – from 10 to 19 years;
4) mature marriages – more than 20 years of living together [17].
Family roles and the family relationship structure
The family functions as both a small social group and a vital public institution, as defined by sociologists This institution comprises a combination of social roles and statuses, specifically structured to fulfill essential social needs.
Status refers to an individual's position within society, encompassing specific rights and responsibilities, while role pertains to the expected behaviors linked to that status Through the process of socialization, individuals adopt roles influenced by their immediate social environment, which encourages certain actions through imitation and reinforces behavior through rewards and punishments.
Family roles are established patterns of behavior that are recognized and expected within a family unit, aligning with the specific positions held by each member, such as father, mother, daughter, or son.
Family roles are inherently interconnected, as one cannot fulfill the role of a wife without a husband, nor can a mother effectively parent without a father, just as children complete the family dynamic These roles are distinctly divided within the family structure.
5) marital role is the role of a husband, a wife;
6) parental role is the role of a father, a mother;
7) familial-parent roles are the roles of sons, daughters, son, daughter;
8) family-relatives roles are the roles of brothers, sisters, broth- er, sister.
Families can encompass all eight possible intrafamily roles, which include two conjugal roles (husband and wife), two parental roles (father and mother), two familial-parental roles (son and daughter), and two family-relatives roles (brother and sister).
Below is the classification of the main roles in the family de- scribed by Yu.E Aleshina:
1 Responsible for the material support of the family.
3 Role of a person responsible for baby care.
6 Role of the organizer of entertainments.
7 Organizer of the family subculture.
8 Role of a person responsible for maintaining family ties.
Family roles should establish a consistent system that meets various psychological needs, but achieving such consistency can be challenging The alignment of individual family members' perceptions of their roles is crucial for harmony In modern families, the distinction between traditional and egalitarian structures highlights the urgency of addressing role-based dynamics Traditional families typically assign specific roles based on gender, with wives serving as mothers and homemakers, while husbands focus on financial support and sexual relations Understanding these differences is essential for fostering healthy family interactions.
In an egalitarian family, roles are shared equally between spouses, while transitional family structures exist between traditional and egalitarian models For instance, in a marriage-matrimony dynamic, the wife primarily fulfills her roles as a mother and homemaker, yet also emphasizes her role as a supportive friend and confidante to her husband.
The structure of the modern family has undergone significant changes, characterized by a decrease in family size and the number of children Additionally, the roles of older siblings have diminished, leading to less differentiation among family members' roles.
E.G Eidemiller and V.V Yustitskis noted a number of require- ments to the system of roles in the family [3].
To establish an effective system, it is crucial to ensure that the requirements for each role are coherent and non-contradictory Conflicts within role expectations can lead to significant challenges in execution, particularly when individuals are tasked with multiple, conflicting roles Currently, there is a focused discussion on the struggles faced by women who juggle professional responsibilities alongside their roles as mothers and partners.
‒ Second, the totality of roles performed by an individual in the family must ensure satisfaction of his/her needs – in respect, recognition, sympathy.
‒ Third, the roles performed by the individual must correspond to his/her capabilities When the requirements to fulfilling of the role are unbearable, psychological stress or anxiety can appear.
The family role system must meet the needs of all members, ensuring a balanced contribution from each individual When one family member's well-being is prioritized at the expense of others' excessive labor, it can lead to psychological trauma.
A.N Kharitonov noted that all members of the family are con- nected through the whole network of connections that are invisible, but certainly exist Interaction in the family is carried out, as a rule, according to the ôtriangle principleằ, the essence of which varies de- pending on who is uninvolved at the moment.
A family card visually represents the interactions among family members, typically illustrated as a triangle comprising the father, mother, and child In a uniparous family structure, there are three key communications: one between the spouses and two interactions between each parent and the child, highlighting the dynamics of their relationships.
– The two-child structure has six communications: four between parents and children (two for each parent) and one – within the parent and child pairs (one for each pair).
– The three-child structure has ten communications: six between parents and children (three for each parent), one – within the parent group and three within the children’s group.
The complexity of family structures, influenced by factors such as sex and age differences, significantly impacts the cohesion and stability of family units Research indicates that families with 5 to 7 members tend to exhibit the highest levels of effectiveness and stability.
The internal structure of the family is closely interrelated with the social and psychological environment.
The family is a structure where various relationships that charac- terize the psychological model of the family are realized: the relation of power (domination-subordination), responsibility and emotional bond.
Political scientist R.E Dal defines dominance-submission as the ability of one entity, A, to exert power over another entity, B, to the extent that A can compel B to act against its own natural inclinations.
I French and B Raven distinguished five types of social power, characterizing the relationship between child and adult in the family:
1) The power of reward – the child can be rewarded for certain behavior The reward follows an approved act, the punishment is for a condemned act;
2) The power of coercion is based on strict control over the be- havior of the child, every minor misdemeanor is punishable (verbally or physically);
3) The power of an expert is based on the greater competence of the parents in a particular case;
4) The power of authority is based on respect to a person who is the model of the bearer of socially approved behavior;
5) The power of law is the only form of impersonal power; how- ever, parents and adults are the bearer and interpreter of the law for the child.
The dominance of one spouse is essential for family stability, as it involves accepting social responsibility for the family's actions The dominant partner plays a crucial role in the group's success, maintaining healthy relationships among family members Their primary goal is to ensure the family's security, coordinate members' actions to achieve shared objectives, and inspire confidence in the family's future and development prospects.
Marital relations as the social and psychological phenomenon
Marriage is defined as a personal relationship between a husband and wife, guided by moral principles and inherent values The study of couples as a fundamental unit in domestic science gained recognition only in the 1970s.
Historically, family research primarily involved interviewing only one spouse, but the importance of viewing the couple as an integrated unit was first acknowledged in the field of sexopathology when examining the dynamics between husbands and wives.
Well-known American researchers and clinicians B Masters and
B Johnson, having perceived sexual intercourse as a form of commu- nication, interaction of two individuals, came to a conclusion that any violation of it by one of the participants cannot but cause resonance in the second participant Therefore, they once and for all refused to treat single patients, should he be a man suffering from impotence, or a woman suffering from anorgasmia, and accepted only married couples for treatment Moreover, ôalthough in the presence of func- tional disorders in marriage, both husband and wife are exposed to treatment,ằ – the researchers emphasized, ôthe patient is the damage of the interaction between themằ[30, p 3].
Russian scientist S.I Golod emphasized the significance of a methodological innovation by illustrating that individual perceptions of marital satisfaction may not accurately reflect the realities of family life This indicates that effective conjugal interaction can be assessed by measuring the consistency of judgments and actions between spouses on shared aspects of family activities Consequently, Golod and his team of researchers developed a "consistency index" that adheres to standards of generalization, interpretability, and validity.
A married couple, often referred to as a husband and wife, embodies the intricate dynamics of a marital relationship These relationships are among the most complex forms of interpersonal connections, encompassing not only the spiritual and moral dimensions of their interactions but also the sexual and erotic attraction that exists between spouses.
Numerous studies indicate that love is a primary reason for marriage and the formation of marital relationships While many attempts have been made to define love and categorize its structure and types, these definitions often conflict due to the unique interpretations individuals have of the concept Each person's individuality influences their understanding of love, making it a highly personal and varied experience.
Among the numerous studies focused on the psychological analysis of emotional relationships, particularly the phenomenon of love, L.Y Gozman's research stands out as one of the most intriguing contributions to the field.
The article presents two contrasting models of love: the pessimistic and optimistic perspectives The pessimistic model suggests that love leads to increased dependence and anxiety, ultimately hindering personal growth In contrast, the optimistic model posits that love fosters psychological comfort, alleviates internal tension, and promotes personal development.
L Y Gozman, in case when the person is sure of the positive attitude of another person (or when a person has a high self-esteem), there is every reason to agree with the ôoptimisticằ model of the family For instance, the theory of L Casler can be referred to first group models at thata [32] The scientist believes that there are three reasons that make one person love another First of all, this is the need to confirm their sets and knowledge about the world Second, sexual need can be regularly satisfied only for love without feeling ashamed Third, in the opinion of L Casler, love is a conformal reaction in respect of the norms of society.
An example of the ôoptimisticằ model is the theory of A Maslow
According to A Maslow, a mentally healthy person's love is marked by the absence of anxiety and a profound sense of safety and psychological comfort He suggests that satisfaction in both the psychological and sexual aspects of a marital relationship tends to increase over time, rather than diminish This highlights a crucial aspect of love: true, stable love persists despite a partner's flaws and imperfections Long-term, intimate communication fosters an environment where individuals can overlook negative traits, allowing them to embrace their partner as they are and maintain a deep sense of love, even when faced with objective shortcomings.
Love plays a crucial role in stabilizing marital relationships, making it essential to explore the perspectives of notable scientists on the nature, essence, and structure of love.
Thus, for example, E Fromm was one who first proposed a con- sideration of the structure of love [34] He distinguished the following components of love : care, responsibility, respect and knowledge.
Z Rubin proposed a framework that differentiates affection, care, and intimacy (trust) within the concept of love This framework served as the foundation for a specialized questionnaire developed by Rubin, which was subsequently adapted by local psychologists for use in our research.
A.G Kharchev, a notable Russian sociologist and philosopher, emphasizes the importance of differentiating between love as a spiritual activity and love as a physiological preference He argues that true love can only be discussed as a social emotion when it involves a deep spiritual connection to the opposite gender, transcending mere instinctive attachment or physical attraction.
Marital relations, as described by V.I Zatsepin, exhibit a cyclical pattern of positive emotional vibrations, which can be categorized into five distinct stages Each stage varies in emotional intensity, the direction of feelings, spousal behavior, and the significance of direct interactions during marital communication.
Marital relationships are shaped by the dynamics of interpersonal interactions, encompassing various levels of connection These levels include the psycho-physiological, psychological, socio-psychological, and sociocultural dimensions, each contributing to the development and challenges within marriage.
Family as the main agent of personality sociolization
A family is defined by the essential triune relationship of marriage, parenting, and kinship, which facilitates the reproduction of the population, ensures the continuity of family generations, and supports the socialization of children This interconnected community of individuals is vital for maintaining the existence and well-being of its members.
Parenthood encompasses the biological, psychological, and social connections between parents and their children, which involve the child's birth, upbringing, and socialization Despite societal changes, the family continues to fulfill essential functions such as reproduction, child maintenance, and socialization.
The family plays a crucial role in socialization, which is the process of integrating individuals into the values and norms of society and its various subsystems As noted by A.I Antonov and V.M Medkov, socialization can be understood in two ways: broadly, it can occur throughout a person's life, while in a stricter sense, it may be confined to the transition into legal adulthood.
Family socialization is a preparation for future family roles and the influence of the family on the formation of a psychologically ma- ture personality.
V.N Druzhinin emphasizes that the socialization of children has always been a fundamental family function across cultures and eras, while other family roles have evolved over time Interpersonal communication plays a crucial role in the establishment and development of a child's personality, with interactions between children and adults serving as significant catalysts for mental and moral growth Notably, family communication occurs within a unique emotional and psychological microclimate characterized by love, closeness, and empathy, which enhances the effectiveness of educational interactions and strengthens the parent-child bond.
The family unit serves as a crucial social and psychological influence on a child's development, shaping their personality through emotional support, regulation, and information sharing A cohesive family enhances these impacts, while a lack of cohesion and family disorganization can expose children to external influences that may hinder their growth.
Family socialization plays a vital role in shaping a child's basic hierarchy of individual needs, which is essential for fulfilling family needs This socialization process consists of two stages that differ in duration and intensity.
– The period of the active formation of the individual as a per- sonality in the parent family (development of personality from birth to adolescence);
– The period of development of the developed personality in the course of further social functioning when starting own family (from youth to adulthood 23-25 years).
The overall family environment significantly influences children's understanding of family dynamics and their inclination to establish their own families later in life According to V.N Druzhinin, family disturbances often stem from unmet needs experienced by one or both partners during childhood As adults, individuals tend to select partners that facilitate the reenactment of unresolved childhood issues, allowing them to confront past conflicts.
Psychotherapists have identified a key pattern: individuals often unconsciously replicate their parents' relationship dynamics within their own families This psychological mechanism operates through unconscious imitation, where a person mirrors the interactions observed between significant individuals, rather than simply mimicking their own or others' behaviors.
Children develop their future marital roles by identifying with their same-gender parent For boys, the interactions with their father and observing his behavior towards their mother are crucial for their understanding of relationships Similarly, girls benefit from learning their mother's behavior towards their father, as these experiences shape their perspectives on future partnerships.
The image of a parent of the opposite gender plays a crucial role in influencing an individual's choice of a future partner, as this selection can be based on various criteria, including similarities or differences in traits.
S Kratochvil suggests that the likelihood of a successful marriage between a man and a woman is significantly influenced by the similarity of their family backgrounds When spouses come from differing family models, it can lead to conflicts over control, misunderstandings, divorce, and the potential for children to be neglected.
Psychologists focus on the child's position among siblings within the family structure, yet often overlook the child's role in the overall dynamics of family relationships and the nature of these structures.
In general, according to V.N Druzhinin, the family socialization scenario looks as follows:
1) children initially receive as the pattern the model of the rela- tionship of the spouses in the parental family;
2) then they play this relationship, acting in different roles with older and / or younger brothers and sisters;
3) on the basis of an assessment of the similarity of family mod- els, they choose a partner and reproduce the structure of the role rela- tionships of the parental family in their new family [1].
Role of a father in children socialization
A Adler highlighted the role of the father in shaping the child’s social interest Firstly, the father should have a positive attitude to- wards his wife, job and society In addition, his formed social interest should manifest itself in relations with children According to Adler, an ideal father is a man who treats his children as equal persons, and takes an active part along with his wife in their upbringing Father must avoid two mistakes : emotional isolation and parental author- itarianism, having, for a wonder, the same consequences Children who feel alienation of their parents tend to pursue, rather, the goal of achieving personal superiority than superiority based on social in- terest Parental authoritarianism also results in a defective life style Children of despotic parents learn to struggle for power and personal but not social superiority (cit ex: T.V Andreeva, 2005);
Various authors link the positive role of fathers in early childhood with the fact that:
– fathers play a significant role in development of their child in situations where it is unclear how to behave at the moment;
Fathers who are attuned to their children's cues play a crucial role in their lives, becoming significant figures in their world This sensitivity enhances their ability to serve as effective intermediaries in the socialization process, fostering healthier relationships and development for their children.
– when a child becomes older, a father turns into the important role model for him/her;
– father can act as the fan of the child and the protector of his/her success
Based on his observations R Campbell writes, that good fathers grow brave sons, while hard, super-masculine fathers – effeminate ones [48].
I Kon points out that ôsystematical education of parents, espe- cially mothers, is very important for they did not try to over-patronize boysằ [49, p 227].