The interior structures of 20th century families no longer enable the family to perform its basic social role. They have been reduced to the point the family unit has become largely dysfunctional. The forms of sustenance have been reduced to physical gratification. The social role of the family in general or a specific family is not self-consciously considered. Members of families are not enabled to deal with the meaning of life in relation to the family. Structures relating the family to its history or its heritage do not exist. The decision making forms are arbitrary and lack effective ways of holding members responsible for their acts. The structures that do exist tend to engender self-centred attitudes and behaviour of individual members and a reduced sense of responsibility toward the larger community and society.