Child development

Nuclear family - mum dad and child/children - related by blood

Advantages - the children have the benefit of a male and female role model in a safe environment. The parenting can be shared.

Disadvantages - isolation from the rest of the family and house hold bills may be higher.

Extended family - mum,dad , children and grandparents

Advantages - Parents have support with childcare and can share problems. Can share expenses and bills.

Disadvantages - There could be a lack of privacy and overcrowding .

Single/lone parent family - a single parent looking after child/children

Advantages - The child is out a a previous stressful situation. The single parent has more time to spend with the children. Can lead to step families which will lead to new relatives.

Disadvantages - A one income family will find it hard with paying bills etc. The child might feel like they are missing the other parent.

Step family - two families living together with the children that aren't blood related. A family thats is blended together which one or both members of the couple have children from a previous relationship.

Advantages - have more brothers or sisters to play with. The income will be increased.

Disadvantages - The children might not get on . The children might not get on with their step parent.

Foster - a situation where a child is taken into temporary care within a family rather than a residential setting . A child is taken away from their birth mother or parents and placed in a temporary place of safety.

Adoption - when a child is permanently removed from their birth parent or parents and a family take over the role of parents and legally adopt the child as theirs.