In this groundbreaking work, Elsie Worthington Clews Parsons provides a detailed examination of the family as a social institution, drawing on ethnographic and historical sources to trace its evolution and significance across different cultures and time periods. With thoughtful analysis and comprehensive research, Parsons offers a compelling study of the family as a site of cultural production and transformation. This book is an essential resource for anyone interested in the anthropology of the family and its role in shaping society. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.