LEC 1: Definitions

Question 1

Legal Definition of Family

Answer 1

A group of two or more persons residing in the same household who are related by blood, marriage, or adoption.

Question 2

Economic Definition of Family

Answer 2

Individuals related by blood, marriage (including common law of opposite or same sex) or adoption sharing a common private dwelling.

Question 3

Functional Definition of Family

Answer 3

A group of individuals who are bonded by strong emotional ties, a sense of belonging, and a passion for being involved in one another’s lives.

Question 4

Census Family

Answer 4

Refers to a married couple (with or without children of either and/or both spouses), a common-law couple (with or without children of either and/or both partners) or a lone parent of any marital status, with at least one child. A couple may be of opposite sex or same sex.

Question 5

Intact Family

Answer 5

All children are the biological and/or adopted child of only one married souse or common-law partner and whose birth or adoption preceded the current relationship.

Question 6

Stepfamily

Answer 6

At least one biological or adopted child of only one married spouse or common-law partner and whose birth or adoption preceded the current relationship.

Question 7

Simple Stepfamily

Answer 7

A couple family in which all children are biological or adopted children of one, and only one, married spouse or common-law partner whose birth or adoption preceded the current relationship.

Question 8

Complex Stepfamily

Answer 8

A couple family which contains at least one biological or adopted child whose birth or adoption preceded the current relationship. These families contain children from:

• Each married spouse or common-law partner and not other children.
• One married spouse or common-law partner and at least one other biological or adopted child of the couple.
• Each married spouse or common-law partner and at least other biological or adopted children of the couple.

Question 9

Family Health

Answer 9

A dynamic changing state of well-being, which includes the biological, psychological, spiritual, sociological, and cultural factors of individual members and the whole family system.

Question 10

Nuclear Family

Answer 10

Husband and wife who are married with biological or adopted children.

Question 11

Same Sex Family

Answer 11

A married or cohabiting couple of the same sex living together with or without children.

Question 12

Dual Carrer Family

Answer 12

Both parties pursue active careers- a relationship of equal power and decision making, and shared economic and domestic responsibility- may not always be the case.

Question 13

Nuclear-Dyad Family

Answer 13

A married couple without children (no children or children have left home).

Question 14

Extended Family

Answer 14

Network of relatives of nuclear family such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Question 15

Single Parent Family

Answer 15

A father or mother living alone with biological or adopted children.

Question 16

Blended Family

Answer 16

Husband and wife, one or both of whom were previously married, living with children from previous marriages and/or children from the new union.

Question 17

Cohabiting Family

Answer 17

Unmarried couple living together, with or without children.

Question 18

Communal Family

Answer 18

An intimate network of unrelated adults and their children who make a commitment to live together.

Question 19

Family Nursing Practice

Answer 19

Active collaboration with both individuals and the family unit to support optimal levels of health and well-being.

Question 20

Family Centred Care

Answer 20

A philosophy embraced by most healthcare organizations globally and promoted by policy makers and nurse leaders.