So that society can meet the basic social needs of its members, social institutions, which are not buildings, nor an organization, nor even people, but a system whose social norms, mores, and popular traditions help people feel important. Social institutions, according to our textbook, are defined as a fundamental component of this organization in which individuals, occupying defined statuses, are "regulated by social norms, public opinion, law and religion" (Amato 2004, p.961). Social institutions are supposed to meet the basic needs of individuals and enable society to survive. Because social institutions prescribe socially accepted beliefs, values, attitudes, and behaviors, they exert considerable social control over individuals. Sociologists examine society from a macro or micro perspective, and the theories that define their work are based on these perspectives. We learned several family theories this semester. In short, structural-functionalism and conflict theory are “macro” theories in sociology. Structural-functionalism views society as a living machine composed of different parts that work together for the good of society. Individuals as well as institutions work together, and the family is the key to the smooth running of the machine. Emile Durkheim, considered the father of sociology, advocated social solidarity, where people do the right thing, create harmony and share values. According to Durkheim, the nuclear family is the only type of institution that can achieve this. Conflict theory views society as a pyramid in which those at the top have more power and influence than those at the bottom. In society, men have more power than women. There is an imbalance of power, which could lead to oppression of paper circles, their homes, their jobs and their sense of security. In 1943, psychologist Abraham Maslow stated that "people are motivated to satisfy their basic needs before moving on to other, more advanced needs" and believe that if these basic needs are not met, or lost, we will have a generation of parents and children. who lack motivation to reach their higher levels of self-actualization. I believe it is imperative that families have emergency plans to meet their own needs during these times of natural disasters and economic downturns. Families must reach out to their communities and form “extended families,” which will be in place if the government does not respond in a timely manner. Works Cited (http://www.pobronson.com/factbook/pages/433.html)http://www.hoover.org/publications/hoover-digest/article/6798http://www.stephaniecoontz.com/articles /article32.htm