2. The nuclear family or elementary family is a term used to define a family
group consisting of a pair of adults and their children. This is in contrast
to a polygamous family, single-parent family, and to the larger extended
family. Nuclear families typically center on a married couple, but not
always; the nuclear family may have any number of children. There are
differences in definition among observers; some definitions allow only
biological children that are full-blood siblings, while others allow for a
stepparent and any mix of dependent children including stepchildren and
adopted children.
The extended family
3. The term extended family defines a family type that extends beyond the
nuclear family consisting of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all
living nearby or in the same household. In some circumstances, the
extended family comes to live either with or in place of a member of the
nuclear family; a family that includes in one household near relatives in
addition to a nuclear family. An example would be elderly parent who
move in with their children due to old age. This places large demands on
the caregivers, particularly on the female relatives who choose to perform
these duties for their extended family. In modern Western cultures
dominated by nuclear family constructs, it has come to be used generically
to refer to grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins, whether they live
together within the same household or not. However, it may also refer to
a family unit in which several generations live together within a single
household. In some cultures, the term is used synonymously with
consanguineous family.
The single-parent family
4. A single parent usually refers to a parent who has most of the day to day
responsibilities in the raising of the child or children, which would
categorize them as the dominant caregiver who is not living with a spouse
or partner, or those who are not married. The dominant caregiver is the
parent in whom the children have residency with the majority of the time;
if the parents are separated or divorced children live with their custodial
parent and have visitation with their noncustodial parent. In western
society in general, following separation, a child will end up with the
primary caregiver, usually the mother, and a secondary caregiver, usually
the father.
THE SIBLING HOUSEHOLD
5. A sibling is one of two or more individuals having one or both parents in
common. A male sibling is called a brother, and a female sibling is called
a sister. In most societies throughout the world, siblings usually grow up
together, facilitating the development of strong emotional bonds such as
love, hostility or thoughtfulness. The emotional bond between siblings is
often complicated and is influenced by factors such as parental treatment,
birth order, personality, and personal experiences outside the family.[1]
6. A reconstituted family (also known as a blended family) is the sociological
term for the joining of two adults via marriage, cohabitation or civil
partnership, who have children from previous relationships.
A reconstituted family is also a biological term for a family which has two
mums and no dads.
Reconstituted Family (also known as a blended family) is the sociological
term for the joining of two adults via marriage or cohabitation, who have
children from previous relationships. Reconstituted families are becoming
more prevalent. Organizations that care for these families should be
acquainted with the different aspects of such family structure and family
functioning
