Abstract
The social institution of the family is one of our oldest institutions. Through the years it has gone through some changes and many challenges. In this paper I will describe what the social institution of the family is, its functions, how it is failing in the United States, and how other countries are dealing with these issues. The Family as a Social Institution

Introduction
A social institution is an organization that puts in place a set of norms to connect an individual with the rest of society. There are predominantly five social institutions found among human groups, these are family, religion, government, education, and economics. The primary functions of a social institution are to satisfy the basic needs of a …show more content…

The present functions of the American family vary from one family to another and there are very broad definitions of the roles. In today’s times, the gender roles have new dimensions and there are no restrictions to as far as the earning aspect to the American family is concerned. The nuclear and other sorts of families of today’s times still work as the system of support for an individual. Family is also a protective barrier from the pressures associated with the process of life and the rest of society. With the constant change in the world, many families have grown apart to rely less on the family structure. With the changing times, the general population has grown apart from the basic settings of the institution of the family. Since many parents are more concerned about monetary gains and many adolescents have grown to be distant from the family structure, therefore the institution as a whole has changed.
The positive effects of the social institution of the family can be analyzed with the help of the fundamental definitions and expectations which are found in the American society. The positive effects of this institution on individuals include the constant and unconditional form of love and support that the family offers, a sense of belonging so that individuals develop in a positive and stable environment, and a sense of reliability and