Family Structures Family Living Mrs. Swope Columbian High School Family Living Mrs. Swope Columbian High School

Family Defined:  A family consists of two or more people living in the same household.  They may be related by blood, adoption, or marriage.  A family may include any combination of mother, father, children, stepchildren, stepparents, adopted children, grandparents, or other relatives.  A family consists of two or more people living in the same household.  They may be related by blood, adoption, or marriage.  A family may include any combination of mother, father, children, stepchildren, stepparents, adopted children, grandparents, or other relatives.

Nuclear Family  Consists of a married couple with one or more child born to them or adopted  This type of family has strong bonds  Both male and female role models are present  Child learns to relate socially to both sexes  Consists of a married couple with one or more child born to them or adopted  This type of family has strong bonds  Both male and female role models are present  Child learns to relate socially to both sexes

Nuclear Family cont.  Parents benefit by having a partner to help with the many tasks  Usually there is more income  Parents can help and support each other in times of stress  Parents benefit by having a partner to help with the many tasks  Usually there is more income  Parents can help and support each other in times of stress

Single Parent Family  One parent with one or more children in the household  May come as a result of divorce, separation, death, or birth to an unwed mother  A single person may adopt a child

Single Parent Family cont.  Children have more responsibilities  Children may be required to do things on their own  Children don’t have to share that parent with another parent  Children may have only one role model in the home to learn social roles  Children have more responsibilities  Children may be required to do things on their own  Children don’t have to share that parent with another parent  Children may have only one role model in the home to learn social roles

Single Parent Family cont.  Single parent is responsible for all the adult roles  Single parent may feel overwhelmed, stressed out  Often feels there isn’t enough time, energy, and money

Blended Family  Consists of husband, wife, one or both have been married before  Also includes their children from the previous marriage or relationship  Consists of husband, wife, one or both have been married before  Also includes their children from the previous marriage or relationship

Blended Family cont.  The structure of the blended family is more complex  Children of a blended family have more adult role models  Relationships with stepparents take time to develop  Space may need to be shared  Financial strain may be decreased some  The structure of the blended family is more complex  Children of a blended family have more adult role models  Relationships with stepparents take time to develop  Space may need to be shared  Financial strain may be decreased some

Extended Family  Several generations of one family live together sharing home and family activities  Modified extended family- live nearby but not with each other

Extended Family cont.  Children may benefit by having more adult role models  Children may receive more attention by other relatives in the home  Close family ties form  Help with chores and childcare  Family members may have less personal space, less privacy  Children may benefit by having more adult role models  Children may receive more attention by other relatives in the home  Close family ties form  Help with chores and childcare  Family members may have less personal space, less privacy

Childless Family  Consists of just husband and wife  Reasons for remaining childless:  Don’t ever want children  Unable to have children  Waited too long to have children  Consists of just husband and wife  Reasons for remaining childless:  Don’t ever want children  Unable to have children  Waited too long to have children

Childless Family cont.  Both adults often work  More financial resources available  Often are focused on their careers  They are able to travel and enjoy their hobbies  May be lonely in later life  Both adults often work  More financial resources available  Often are focused on their careers  They are able to travel and enjoy their hobbies  May be lonely in later life

Adopting Family  May be a part of a nuclear, blended, or a single parent family  The adopting family has waited for the child a long time  Parents bond with the child and then the adoption becomes final at a later date  How and when should the child be told of the adoption  May be a part of a nuclear, blended, or a single parent family  The adopting family has waited for the child a long time  Parents bond with the child and then the adoption becomes final at a later date  How and when should the child be told of the adoption

The Dual Career Family  Both husband and wife pursue careers outside the home  Both parents have to participate in parenting roles or outside help is hired  May have more money to meet the family’s needs  Children may be more independent sharing is household chores  Family teamwork, communication and cooperation makes this structure work  Both husband and wife pursue careers outside the home  Both parents have to participate in parenting roles or outside help is hired  May have more money to meet the family’s needs  Children may be more independent sharing is household chores  Family teamwork, communication and cooperation makes this structure work

Single Living  Is a household consisting of one person  Many delay marriage, decide not to marry  Some are single due to divorce or death of a spouse  The period of single living may be temporary or permanent  What are the advantages? Disadvantages?  Is a household consisting of one person  Many delay marriage, decide not to marry  Some are single due to divorce or death of a spouse  The period of single living may be temporary or permanent  What are the advantages? Disadvantages?