The Shift of Family Role and Function in Atomistic Family in Urban Society

Abstract

The role and function of family in the social life are very crucial. However, globalization and modernization have brought changes on the variety of family models, including the atomistic family, in which individuality is likely more important than the family ties. Nowadays, in post modern societies it is easy to find families which members are not living in the same house. This research aims to describe the implementation of socialization function in atomistic families. This research employed qualitative method with purposive sampling. Data collection was conducted through in-depth interviews of six families, in which spouses live separately. Informants interviewed live in Surabaya and their spouses live outside Surabaya. The findings reveal that globalization brings immense social change including changes in family structure. The shift of family structure from extended family (traditional society) leads to nuclear family (modern society) and in postmodern era shifting to atomistic family. The shift of family structure brings consequences on the shifting role and function of family, especially in case of child care and socialization. Atomistic family requires generalized others that are parents, baby sitter, household assistants and neighbours. More economically established families have a greater chance of meeting face-to-face with family members than the lower-class families.