In the current social reality, there are many negative phenomena and problems that adversely affect the structure and functioning of individuals and social groups, including the family. Due to be completed the tasks and functions performed reflection on these issues has a significant value for both theorists and practitioners. The collected material was developed based on the current literature and statistical data. Presented text on selected problems of family functioning constitute a threat to its durability. These include alcoholism, unemployment and violence. These problems – their scale, conditions, consequences – should be constantly monitored and family pathological covered a broad institutional support. Although the family in Poland are covered by the support of many of them struggling with the effects of unemployment, alcohol abuse and violence. The problems negatively affect the implementation of family-care functions – education, socialization, emotional – expressive. In families where there are difficulties associated with lack of work, violence or alcoholism appear to conflict, blaming, loss of authority, which threatens maintaining its texture and durability