The main functions of the household were: to ensure its survival house by producing legitimate successors; looking after its elderly members; and keeping up burial customs. Household duties in those days were dictated by practical necessity. And these in turn determined the relationships between the household's members. Although we cannot definitely say that there were no love matches, the rule seems to have been that spouses were selected on the criterion of suitability. This meant that while affection might subsequently develop between husband and wife, it was not regarded as a reason to marry. We often read of a husband in need of affection going to his hetaira, and his attitude towards his wife was one of respect and protectiveness. As for the wife, although she did not tend to keep quiet about her husband's philandering, legally there was nothing she could do about it.

Relations between the members of the oikos were harmonious as a rule. Between a mother and her children, in particular, there were no obvious problems. Fathers and daughters got on well, too. But rivalry between father and son was common, especially once the latter came of age. This was because that the father had no absolute authority, and could at any time be challenged by his male descendants. There was also the fact that the boy was educated and socialized outside the home, which could create tensions if the father had difficulty listening to new ideas such as the ones taught by the Sophists in particular. This is why we see, in comedy and elsewhere, the emergence of the 'generation gap'.

The attitude of siblings to one another was normally positive. Where there might be friction was in disputes over inheritance and in clashes between legitimate and adopted children.