Historically, the family has provided for the needs of its members as well as certain protective boundaries. The family teaches its members social and moral values and passes on to them a sense of social responsibility. As a basic component of society, the family plays a role in the dissolution of cultures when it no longer carries out its basic functions. Factors leading to a healthy family and its maintenance include not only trust, affection, autonomy, and initiative, but the presence of a good genetic pool, a private and mutual territory for spouses, and the existence of a family myth that provides symbolism, values, and structure. The authors' major premise regarding violence is that social frustration creates insecurity, hostility, and confusion which often find an outlet as domestic violence. Halting the progression of the dissolution of the family should be a concerted effort involving sociologists, educational and religious leaders, parents, and politicians, with the ultimate aim of reestablishing societal values and reducing violence. 26 references