Types of Family Based On Size and Structure (Autosaved)
Types of Family Based On Size and Structure (Autosaved)
Nuclear family
Concept of nuclear family
• A nuclear family, elementary family or conjugal family is a family group
consisting of two parents and their children (one or more)
• It is known as nuclear family, because this type of family consist of core
members of family. Parents and their unmarried are the core member of any
family.
• Nuclear family consists of at least two adults of the opposite sex (in few
countries context might be different) living in a socially/legally approved
sexual relationship along with one or more of their own or adopted children.
Clarification: Typically, but not always, the adults in a nuclear family are
married. Although such couples are most often a man and a woman, the
definition of the nuclear family has expanded with the advent of same-sex
marriage.
• In patriarchal and patrilineal society, the father is the head of the nuclear
family and rest of the family subsistence depend upon the economy earned by
the father. (in changing role mother can also support the living of the family)
• Along with the urbanization process, less dependency on agriculture
occupation nuclear family system has become practiced in Nepal. They
popular in urban context due to their feature of financial stability.
• Nuclear families are more financially stable than joint families and can provide
children with better opportunities in life. Finances get sorted more easily.
Since it's a smaller family, the expenses are considerably lesser, which means
better financial stability.
• These days in some part of the world, due to higher divorce rates and other
social, economic and political reasons the number of single parent family is
also increasing. A single parent family has one parent and their child. It is
most likely the single parent to be mothers.
Merits of nuclear family
• Less stress for the earning person in the family.
• Less space is required for comfortable living. Privacy of couples can be maintained
which can help in conjugal satisfaction.
• Less resources are required for survival.
• A better possibility of family planning. Independence in taking decisions related with
family planning.
• Prevention of intra family problems which can cause due to more numbers of family
member.
• Fewer family members, so low changes of conflicts
• Deep love, intimacy and affection among members
• Good understanding and communication among family members
• Comparatively better freedom in making family decisions
• Promote small family
Demerits of nuclear family
• Extended Family Exclusion: The nuclear family unit provides a strong bonding
experience for immediate family members. The smaller family size allows
individualized attention towards partners and children which creates lifelong
bonds. However, the nuclear family unit can isolate people from other relatives
and relationships. This breakdown of the extended family unit, won't be
beneficial in hard times. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins have a place
within a family structure, but the nuclear family doesn't always foster these
relationships.
• The Realities of Burnout: Family members, particularly mothers, have a tendency
to burn out from attempts to meet every person's needs. The focus on children
can be overwhelming and leave little room for parents to take care of themselves.
Without help from extended family, parents may need to take off work to care for
sick children. The struggle to balance the demands of work, family and
friendships without outside assistance leads to stress, depression, anxiety or
other problems.
Demerits of nuclear family
• Conflict Resolution Skills: While less conflict and decreased family stress is an
advantage of the nuclear family, it also puts the family at a disadvantage.
Conflict is a part of life, and conflict resolution skills are beneficial in school,
the community and the workplace. Nuclear families can develop like-minded
thinking, leading to fewer arguments within the family unit. However, it can
increase the disagreements with extended family members. Extended family
with differing opinions and ideas can help families see alternate viewpoints
and learn to deal with outside opinion and conflicts.
• Small support system: Emergency situations, such as an accident or even a
time of illness, can leave small nuclear families in crisis. The Preserve Articles
analysis points out how extended family structures offer built-in help for these
scenarios. In a nuclear family where both parents work and have young
children, the ability to meet all expectations and needs solely within the
family unit is not always feasible. Multi-generational households offer
assistance as needed.
• Self-Centered Worldview: According to the Concordia University - St.
Paul, the traditional nuclear family is child-centered. This means the
focus is on the immediate family, children in particular, for all facets of
life. The family unit strives to meet its own needs and places
secondary emphasis on others. This viewpoint can lead children to
selfish tendencies and thinking. It can also create a narrow worldview
where the greater good of society gets little consideration.
• Lack of value, assumption and tradition of old generation. Children
can become deprived of learning socio-cultural values.
• Low supervision of children in the case if the both father and mother
happen to become job holder.
• Over freedom can sometime result to breakdown in the family.
Western world is facing the problem of single parents.
Joint/ extended family
Concept of Extended family