A clear function becomes evident for this social group called the family. It is that of dealing with young lives, in groups bound by ties of blood and similarity, for purposes of the development of personal character. The family has an essentially educational function. Bearing in mind that "educational" means the orderly development of the powers of the life, we can think of our families as existing for this purpose and to be tested by their ability to do this work, especially by their ability to develop persons, young lives, that have the power, the vision, the acquired habits and experience to live as more than animals. The family is an educational institution dealing with child-life for its full growth and its self-realization, especially on character levels. The educational function suggests the features of family life which we do well to seek to preserve. Many incidental forms may pass, but the essential human relations and experiences that go to develop life and character must be maintained at any cost. I. References for Study C.F. and C.B. Thwing, _The Family_, chap. vii. Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, $1.60. W.F. Lofthouse, _Ethics and the Family_, chaps. iv, v. Hodder & Stoughton, $2.50. II. Further Reading "The Improvement of Religious Education," _Proceedings of the Religious Education Association_, I, 119-23. $0.50. _Religious Education_, April, 1911, VI, 1-48. S.P. Breckinridge and E. Abbott, _The Delinquent Child and the Home_. Russell Sage Foundation, $2.00. III. Topics for Discussion 1. What is the chief end of all forms of social organization? 2. What is in the last analysis the aim of every parent? 3. What advantage has the family over the school and larger groups for educational purposes? 4. In what sense is the family an ideal democracy? 5. Show how the family sets spiritual values first. 6. What in your judgment are the first evidences of character development? In what way do these come to the surface in the family? What is the factor of love in the development of character? 7. Is that an ideal family in which none of the members bear pain or are called upon for self-denial? Can you see any especial advantage to character in the very difficulties and apparent disadvantages in the life of the family? FOOTNOTES: [5] See "Democracy in the Home," _American Journal of Sociology_, January, 1912. [6] Francis G. Peabody, _The Approach to the Social Question_, p. 94. CHAPTER IV THE RELIGIOUS PLACE OF THE FAMILY § 1. DEVELOPMENT AS A RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION