The Family Equilibrium

Abstract

The family is a totality, but it is not everything. The behavior of the individual family member depends on both the family and on other social forces. Conflicts can thus develop because of changes in the family as well as from outside.

The family, being a human unit, must be educated according to the rules of sanctity. All the virtues must be taught the family. The integrity of the family bond must be constantly considered and the rights of the individual members must not be transgressed. The rights of the son, the father, the mother, none of them must be transgressed, none of them must be arbitrary. Just as the son has certain obligations to his father, the father likewise has certain obligations to his father, the father likewise has certain obligations to his son. The mother, the sister and other members of the household have their certain prerogatives. All these rights and prerogatives must be considered, yet the unity of the family must be sustained.

—Abdu’l ’Bahá