In Precious’ life, the breakdown of the family functions does not align with the ideal. While most families in America struggle to control and regulate the sexual behavior of their children through sex education programs and chastity programs, Precious’ mother encourages the sexualization of her young daughter. Precious is raped on a consistent basis by her father, Carl, from the age of seven onward and ends up having two children by him. Her mother is also responsible for sexually molesting Precious and blames Precious for Carl’s raping her, saying that she stole her husband and is a slut just asking for it. Precious’ mother does not provide for “new members of society,” her child Precious and grandchildren Little Mongo and Abdul. She relies on the state to provide for herself and her family and does not work or leave the apartment. By not trying to rise above their poverty or protect her daughter from being raped, Precious’ mother does not provide for the economic and emotional maintenance of herself or her child. Also, she does not act as the primary socialization for Precious, instead sending Precious to the kitchen to spend most of her time cooking and alone. When they are together, they are eating on the couch while watching television and not socializing at all. If Precious’ mother had protected her daughter from Carl and taken more of an interest in being a mother and providing for her child, Precious’ life would have been much different and the functions of the family would have been fulfilled, giving her a better life.