Types of Family

What is a Nuclear Family?

It is a mum and dad living with their children separate from other relatives.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a nuclear family?

Advantages are that parents can raise their children without interference from relatives and visits can be long or short to suit all generations. Disadvantages are that the children might have to be looked after by someone outside the family if both parents work or go out in the evening. Also, children may not see relatives much if they live miles away. In addition, the parents receive little or no help and support is not available to them. It can be harder to build close relationships between other family members.

What are extended families?

It is two parents and their children living with other relatives nearby such as grandparents.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of extended families?

Advantage is that there is always a relative around to help look after the children. Also, the different relatives would bring different experiences and opportunities for advice and support. Disadvantage is that relatives feel free to interfere and offer advice even when it is not wanted. Also, privacy will be an issue.

What are same sex families?

They are homosexual couples who have children by adoption, foster, donor or surrogates.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of single sex families?

Some children might feel that they need someone of the same sex to confide in or to act as a role model for them. Also, the same advantages and disadvantages as nuclear families.

What are single parent families?

Families that were originally nuclear families but changed when one parent left or died. Single parents can be unmarried, separated, divorced or widowed.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of single parent families?

It’s hard for one person to bring up a child on their own. The children may not have a father-figure or mother-figure in their lives. Financial difficulties are common. Develop a close relationship with their parent.

What are reconstituted/step families?

When an adult who already has a child marries or moves in with a new partner.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of reconstituted/step families?

Children can resent step-parents as they may feel that they are trying to take the place of one of their biological parents. Children can find themselves with instant step-siblings so sibling rivalry is common. Rivalry can also occur between children and adults.

What are foster families?

Children are cared for temporarily by another family because their own are unable to. They can be short or long term and children may or may not have contact with birth parents.

What are adoptive families?

Adoptive parents legally and permanently adopt a child. Birth parents no longer have responsibility over child and the adopted child now has a new family.

What are shared-care families?

Parents live separately but share equally in decisions made about the child’s care and welfare. Clothes and possessions may be spread between both homes which could be either a disadvantage or an advantage.