The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of performance of living proprieties on family adaptability and self-esteem, centering on the married men and women residing in the city of Seoul. 220 respondents were randomly selected in July 2000 for the present research. The results of this study were as follows : First, the performance of living proprieties revealed a relatively high level and was shown a significant difference by sex, age, family type, religion, the number of children, experience of propriety education, value orientation, and the degree of communication. Second, family adaptability revealed a relatively high level and was shown a significant difference by family type, experience of propriety education, and the degree of communication. Self-esteem was shown a significant difference by the number of children and degree of communication. Third, background variable (age), the performance of living proprieties (communication manner, family decorum, social etiquette), and family adaptability had a significant effect on self-esteem. This implies that the performance of living proprieties rather than socio-demographic variables has a positive effect on self-esteem.