ABSTRACT

Much of human social activity involves interactions among kin. Although precise definitions of family often can differ both between and within cultures, few would deny that family life is a central feature of every culture. Virtually every human infant born into any society spends its initial weeks and months of life in the close presence of some family member or members for at least several hours each day, and many spend most of this time with their mothers. The majority of children in most societies grow up in the primary care and oversight of family members, and most retain some sort of family ties during and after adolescence, if not throughout the rest of their lives (Whiting & Whiting, 1975). Family interactions clearly represent a fundamental aspect of human social life.