The Educational Role of Family in Islam

Family forms the foundations of socialization as well as personality structure of children. Parents’ fulfilling the educational role within the family framework is the prerequisite to the establishment of children’s healthy character. Children’s delicate temperaments and the favorable setting each child has within the family environment are the best conditions in which the most impeccable seeds of child development can be cultivated. As Imam Ali (PBUH) utters: ‘A child’s soul and spirit is similar to a fertile land in which no plants have grown and is ripe for cultivation.’ This Hadith enjoys a significant and high status in modern principles of education. On the other hand, family is the natural environment in which children are brought up and it influences children’s physiological, emotional and social development. Due to the critical role of this institution in raising individuals, it should be the core of treating children with kindness, attention, and respect and at the same time maintaining order and discipline. As a result of receiving deep parental affection, children adapt themselves to their parents and parents establish themselves as positive role models. Considering the aforementioned issues, it can be asserted that family is the cornerstone of human’s personality. In other words, attitudes, interests, desirable and undesirable behaviors towards different phenomena originate from family. Hence, appropriate education and upbringing, as the most important role and mission of family, is the most fundamental basis for individual and social prosperity of members of society.