What is a family?

What a family provides

A family is the basic unit of society. It's a group of people living together, who are married, or co-habit (live together), or who are related by birth (blood) or adoption.

A family provides..

• A secure and stable environment, with good role models and appropiate rountines.
• Encouragement and praise, which develops self-esteem and confidence.
• Love, affection and comfort.
• Communication skills
• food, clothing and a suitable housing environment
• Physical and health care.
• Culture
• Socialisation skills. Babies' basic needs are met by parents who teach them what is expected of them as they grow. This is PRIMARY SOCIALISATION. Later, they're influenced by the society they live in. This is known as SECONDARY SOCIALISATION.

Types of family

There are a number of different types of a family.

In a nuclear family, parents and children live together in the home. Contact with other family members is limited, and practical help from them isn't easily available.

In a extended family, parents and children live with, or near, relatives like grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. There is practical help with the child care and emotional support.

A step family (reconstituted/modified/blended) is formed when one or both people in a couple, with children from previous relationship, re-marry or co-habit. New relationships can be difficult to establish.

A single-parent family (lone, one parent) mostly, but not always, comprises a mother and her children. This type of family can be the result of...

• divorce (seperation)
• the death of a parent
• adoption by a single parent
• an absent parent (e.g. who works abroad, is in hospital, or prision or in refuge)
• a surrogacy arrangement
• a…