Who propounded the concept ‘Conjugal Family’?

The concept of the conjugal family was propounded by Talcott Parsons. He was an American sociologist who is considered one of the most influential figures in the development of the discipline. In his book The Structure of Social Action, Parsons argued that the conjugal family is the basic unit of social organization in modern societies.

A conjugal family is a family unit that consists of a married couple and their children. The spouses are the primary focus of the family, and they are responsible for the upbringing of their children. The conjugal family is characterized by a high degree of emotional intimacy and interdependence between the spouses.

Parsons argued that the conjugal family is well-suited to the needs of modern societies because it is flexible and adaptable. The spouses can adjust their roles to meet the changing demands of work and family life. The conjugal family is also relatively egalitarian, which means that the spouses have equal status and share power within the family.

The concept of the conjugal family has been influential in the study of family sociology. It has been used to explain the changes that have taken place in family structure over time. The conjugal family is also seen as a model for family life in modern societies.

Here are some of the key characteristics of the conjugal family:

• Marriage: The conjugal family is based on the institution of marriage. The spouses are legally married and they have a certain degree of economic and social interdependence.
• Parenthood: The conjugal family is also based on the institution of parenthood. The spouses are responsible for the upbringing of their children.
• Emotional Intimacy: The conjugal family is characterized by a high degree of emotional intimacy between spouses. They are close friends and they share their thoughts and feelings with each other.
• Interdependence: The spouses in a conjugal family are interdependent. They rely on each other for emotional support, financial support, and help with household chores.
• Equality: The conjugal family is relatively egalitarian. The spouses have equal status and they share power within the family.

The conjugal family is a relatively recent phenomenon. It emerged in the early modern period and it has become the dominant form of family in most modern societies. The conjugal family is well-suited to the needs of modern societies because it is flexible and adaptable. The spouses can adjust their roles to meet the changing demands of work and family life. The conjugal family is also relatively egalitarian, which means that the spouses have equal status and share power within the family.

Questions Asked in

2012 December UGC NET  in Social Work Paper 2 -Q-2