Types Of Families Flashcards
Universality of family
a group that exists, in some form, in all societies throughout the world. The form may
change due to variations in culture,
Family of orientation
the family individuals are born into, made up of parents and siblings.
Family of procreation
the family created when individuals have or adopt children.
Family of affinity
also known as a family of choice, whereby people with or without legal or
blood ties feel they belong together as a family, e.g. close friends.
Nuclear family
Consists of parents and their children
Nuclear family characteristics
Nuclear families are small in size, nowadays; the average
number of children in a nuclear familv is 1.4.
Nuclear families are mobile due to the small number of people
in the family, so they can easily move from place to place. This
is often necessary for employment opportunities.
• Nuclear families are often dual-income households, with both parents working outside of the
home to earn an income in order to meet the high cost of living.
Nuclear families are often economically self-sufficient, meaning that they do not rely on other
family members for financial support.
Extended family
Extended families consist of grandparents, aunts, uncles and
cousins. There are two types of extended families.
Types of extended family
Classic extended families: extended families related by blood,
marriage or adoption that live in the same home or close to one
another.
Modified extended families: extended families related by
blood, marriage or adoption who are separated geographically
from one another, but keep in close contact.
Characteristics of extended family
Extended families are large in size, as more than one generation lives in the same home or
nearby.
• Extended families are immobile, due to the large numbers of people in the family, so they
cannot move easily from place to place.
• “Historically, segregated roles existed between parents in extended families. Males were the
breadwinners and worked outside the home, whereas females worked inside the home. This is
not as commonplace nowadays.
Support is provided by other family members in extended families during times of crisis.
One parent family
consist of one parent
with his or her children. One-parent families
moy be the result of the death of a spouse/
partner/civil partner, separation, divorce, an
unplanned pregnancy or may be by choice.
Characteristics of one parent family
Approximately 86% of one-parent families, are headed by females.
Lone parents often live with their own parents, for financial reasons or
for support, e.q. childminding.
One-parent families are often dependent on social welfare payments,
e.g. the One-Parent Family Payment, for financial support, as the high
costs of childcare may prohibit them from accessing work, education
or training opportunities, increasing their risk of poverty.
Blended family
Blended families
Blended families consist of two parents
from previous relationships or marriages,
and their children. Blended families are
increasingly common due to greater
numbers of separations and divorces.
Characteristics of blended family
Family size increases when two families
come together, combining both sets of
children as well as extended families.
Conflict can occur between stepsiblings
if they do not bond or get along, or
between stepparents and stepchildren
due to a change in family rules or
discipline structure,
• Children’s relationships with the absent
biological parent may be difficult, as they may not see them as often.
