Types of Family Structures

Flashcards covering different family structures, their definitions, strengths, and weaknesses.

What defines a nuclear family?

A nuclear family consists of two parents and at least one child, usually living together in one home.

What are the strengths of a nuclear family?

Strengths include good parental examples, financial stability from joint salaries, and consistent home life for kids.

What is a key weakness of nuclear families?

A nuclear family may struggle to resolve conflicts with extended family members and can lack support from extended relatives.

Define a single-parent family.

A single-parent family involves one parent raising one or more children, often consisting of a mother or father and their kids.

What trend has contributed to the rise of single-parent families?

The rise of divorce rates and more children being born out of wedlock.

What is a strength of single-parent families?

Parents and their kids often develop a close relationship and learn resilience and responsibility.

Name a weakness of single-parent families.

It may be harder to make ends meet with only one income.

What characterizes an extended family?

An extended family includes multiple relatives living together, such as parents, children, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

What is a strength of extended families?

They provide more social support and shared responsibilities among relatives.

What is a weakness of extended families?

Limited living space may lead to lack of privacy.

What defines a same-sex family?

A same-sex family has two parents of the same gender raising children together.

What change made same-sex families more common?

The legalization of same-sex marriage in the U.S. in 2015.

Identify a strength of same-sex families.

There are two parents available to set good examples and support each other financially.

What is a family without children?

A family without children consists of couples in committed relationships who do not have kids.

What can be a strength for families without children?

Couples can enjoy more one-on-one time and disposable income without childcare expenses.

What is a potential difficulty for couples without children?

Couples may feel isolated as friends or family start having kids.

What is a stepfamily?

A stepfamily is formed when divorced or widowed parents remarry, sometimes bringing children from previous relationships.

What is a strength of stepfamilies?

Children have the opportunity to bond with stepparents and stepsiblings.

Name a weakness of stepfamilies.

Parents and children may take time to adjust to the new family dynamics.

What is a grandparent family?

A grandparent family involves grandparents raising their grandchildren, often stepping in when parents cannot care for the kids.

List a strength of grandparent families.

They provide stability and can prevent children from entering the foster care system.

What challenge might grandparent families face?

Income may be an issue if the grandparents are not working full-time.

Define a polyamorous family.

A polyamorous family includes two or more parents raising children together in a committed relationship.

What are the strengths of polyamorous families?

They benefit from greater stability, shared childcare responsibilities, and increased household income.

What challenge do polyamorous families often face?

They may encounter legal challenges and social judgment regarding their family structure.