Types of Families

Family
Two or more persons related by birth, marriage, or adoption who reside in the same household – or – a group who love and care for each other
Role – Parts one play when interacting with others

Nuclear Family
A mother, father & one or more children (biological or adopted)
Advantages
- Two people share parenting responsibilities
- Financial responsibilities shared
- Examples of male & female role models
Disadvantages
- Only one parent home a large part of time

Single Parent Family
Only one parent & one or more children
25% of all families in the US
84% are female headed
½ of all children will live in a single parent home before age 18
The number of single-parent homes has more than doubled in the past 20 years
Divorced women’s standard of living drops 73%, while divorced men jumps 42%.
About 50% of the children in divorced families report having not seen their father in the last year and only 1 of 6 see him once a week

Single Parent Family

Blended Family
2 parents, ore or both of whom have children from a previous relationship. Step-parents & siblings, half-siblings
Disadvantages
- Need more patience
- Adjustment to new roles
Advantages
- Adults share responsibilities

Extended Family
All the immediate relatives of a family- grandparents, aunts, cousins, etc.
Disadvantages
- Less room
- Less privacy
- Difficulty getting along
Advantages
- more to help with responsibilities
- more support
- more money

Cooperative Family
Non-related people who get together to rear their children in one household
Disadvantages
- Adjustment
Advantages
- Support
- Share Responsibilities

Millions of Kids
Children living in blended families, including either a step-parent or step-sibling.
Children living with both natural parents and full brothers or sisters.
Children living in extended families including other people such as uncles, cousins, aunts or grandparents.
Children living in one-parent families.
8 million
10 million
15 million
33 million
Family Type
Number of Children
1997 statistics

Other American Family Types
Living Alone
1 of 24 adults remain single throughout their life.
66% of single people are women.
Grown Children Moving In With Their Parents
Families with two children and young parents living at home with their parents has doubled in 25 years

Relationship
What?
An interaction between two or more people
Who?
Parents, siblings, spouse, grandparents
They are constantly changing
An individual is going through various stages of his life cycle while the family is going through it’s cycle

Functions of the Family
Emotional Support
Economic Support
Recreation
Child Care and Guidance
Kinship
Housekeeping