Sociology- Family Unit

Nuclear Family

• Adult Man
• Adult Woman
• Dependent children

Often thought of as the Typical family.

• Man is the breadwinner
• Woman is responsible for house and family

Very popular in western and richer countries. People can afford to stay away from home.

Extended Family

• Nuclear Family
• Other relative

Common in the past and poorer countries were living away from extended family is expensive.

Common within the Asian community in Britain.

Vertically extended:

• Three generations of family living together (Grandparents, Parents, Children)

Horizontally extended:

• Relatives of the same generation (Two brothers, Wives, Children)

Single-Parent Family

• One Parent
• Dependent children

Result of:

• Teenage pregnancy
  
• Want to bring up children alone
• Death of Partner
• Divorce

Over 90% are Women.

Reconstituted Family

• New family created after divorce/ separation
  
• Second marriage/ cohabitation
• Step-parents
• Step-children

Why:

• Single parent may want help
• Company
• Find happiness in second marriage
• Male/Female role for the children

Dual Worker Family

• Both parents work

Reason:

• Many women want to be independent
• Likely to have right qualifications

More Dual Worker families in the UK from women in nuclear, reconstituted, cohabiting couples.

Empty Nest Family

• Originally Nuclear Family
• Children have left home

Reasons:

• Children are more independent
• People live longer
• Aid from Government (care homes, benefits)

Bigamy

• Law. the crime of marrying while one has a wife or husband still living, from whom no valid divorce has been effected.

Polygamy

• The practice or condition of having more than one spouse, esp. wife, at one time

Serial Monogamy

• a form of monogamy characterized by several successive, short-term marriages over the course of a lifetime.
• Monogamy- Marriage with only one person at a time.

Polyandry

• the practice or condition of having more than one husband at one time.