EN
The article presents four perspectives on the family. In the intergenerational perspective a family is an institution of biological and cultural reproduction. Family in the perspective of the life cycle is a dynamically changing structure of “problems to solve” associated with life cycle: socialization, mating, parenting and post reproductive phase. Each phase substantially changes the structure of interests, available resources and the nature of social relationships. Family in the system of social stratification is associated with the distribution of scarce resources. The family as a system of social interaction is a complex dynamic unit which stabilizes the basic structure of the moral code (attitudes of loyalty and trust).