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SOCIOLOGY In traditional, pre-industrial societies, the family fulfilled central functions for the survival of society itself and for its individual members. Murdock claims that the family has and had four functions: Sexual (it contains a controlled outlet for sexual gratification which could otherwise lead to conflict and jealousies). Reproductive (Allows adult to know the biological parents of children, therefore avoiding incest and delineating lines of descents). Economic (it functions as a productive and consumption unit, ensuring the survival of the family). Educational (Passes on the knowledge and skills from one generation to the next). In pre-industrial societies production largely depended on the amount of family labour accessible to in the land and the extended family was the most appropriate unit. The extended family is defined as a grouping broader than the nuclear family which is related by descent, marriage or adoption. It existed as a structure of collective responsibility for its members even...

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