A família: Sua função social e religiosa

Abstract

Social Function of Family

The study of family since its origins up to current days shows the innumerous and radical transformations suffered by this group of people. Social and religious functions of family are different from time to time, each one of them with its own values and worries. However love, respect and communion remain as the connecting thread of familiar behavior. We mention that since the second half of 20th century and continuing during the 21st century family suffered the most expressive changes mankind ever saw caused by technical‑scientific advances that took place in all knowledge areas, provoking a real revolution in habits and social values. Nowadays we are living times characterized by a crisis of values and principles, by the missing of an ethical paradigm that may support human being while developing his/her actions and ideals in a coherent way with the collective needs and not only the individual ones. It is important to mention that social function of family is the result of a move of change from the liberal‑individualist paradigm towards the social‑personal paradigm that considers human being as the center of reflection and fundamental character to address the incorporation of ethical, social and religious values in social life.