Now read the passage about family functions. You will have 45 seconds to read the passage. Begin reading now. Reading Time: 45 seconds Functions of Family A family can be defined as a set of people who are related by blood, marriage, or adoption, and who share the primary responsibility for reproduction and caring for members of society. Although it has many different forms, as a social institution, the family is present in all cultures. As a basic unit of sociology, what functions does the family perform. in it? According to William F. Ogburn, the family performs four very important functions in a society, namely, reproduction, protection, socialization, and supplying affection and companionship.