Global View of the Family

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to family structures, marriage, and divorce.

Nuclear Family

A family unit consisting of two parents and their children.

Extended Family

A family that extends beyond the nuclear family, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives.

Monogamy

A marriage form where an individual has one spouse at a time.

Serial Monogamy

A pattern of having one romantic partner at a time, but engaging in a succession of relationships.

Polygamy

A marriage practice where an individual has multiple spouses simultaneously.

Kinship

The state of being related to others, often forming the basis of family structure.

Patriarchy

A family system in which the father or oldest male is the head of the family.

Matriarchy

A family system in which the mother or oldest female is the head of the family.

Egalitarian Family

A family in which spouses are regarded as equals in authority and decision-making.

Endogamy

The practice of marrying within a specific social group or community.

Exogamy

The practice of marrying outside of a specific social group or community.

Incest Taboo

A social norm that prohibits sexual relationships between closely related individuals.

Homogamy

The tendency to select a partner with similar personal characteristics.

Cohabitation

An arrangement where couples live together without being married.

Blended Families

Families formed when one or both partners have children from previous relationships.

Single-Parent Families

Family households in which only one parent is present to raise children.

Divorce

The legal dissolution of a marriage, often impacting family structure.

Cohabitation Statistics

Statistics reflecting the living arrangements of couples who choose to live together without marrying.