According to current domestic and international literature on family function of first-generation college students (FGCS), FGCS’s family function not only reflects the lack of resources, but also contains some positive supports. Through a systematic review of the literature, this paper found that the paradoxical effect was intertwined with the process of independence of the FGCS, with implications for psychosocial, academic, and career development. Relevant research methods include both quantitative and qualitative, with a lack of interventional empirical studies.