Family types

define family: The typical, yet very narrow, definition of the family is often one which claims a family to be a married couple and their children who all live together. 

The Nuclear Family 

(Also known as the ‘cereal packet’ family) 

The nuclear family is one which consists of a mother, father and their child/children. 


Therefore the nuclear family refers to two generations of family members living together. 

The Extended Family

An extended family is one which contains relative beyond the nuclear family for example grandparents who live together in the same household.

  • Horizontally extended family: a family with parent(s)and children living with other relatives of the same generations, such as aunts, uncles and cousins

  • Modified extended family: an extended family who have close ties but do not all live together

  • Beanpole: a multigenerational family with 1 or 2 children in each generation; this creates a tall and thin family tree

The Reconstituted Family 

A reconstituted family is one which is often referred to as a ‘step family’.

This type of family still consists of parents and children although one of the parents may be a social parent, meaning they are not the child's biological parent. 

The Lone-Parent Family

A lone-parent family is one which consists of children and just one parent. 

Why may lone-parent families form?

Lone-parent families may form due to various reasons, including divorce, separation, the death of a partner, or the choice to raise children independently without a partner.

  • Primary Socialisation – The process by which infants and young children absorb the basic norms and values of their culture.


  • Cereal Packet Family – The stereotypical nuclear family of mother, father and children with traditional gender roles that is often shown in advertisements.


  • Family Functions – The Functions the family has , that is, what roles it plays and for whom, according to functionalist theory.


  • Feminism – A theoretical perspective that is mainly interested in issues of gender inequality and on the position of women in the family and in society.


  • Patriarchy – A term used by feminists to describe societies and organisations (including the family) in which men are dominant and women are subordinate.

Functionalist perspective on the family 

The family is at the heart of society and consequently they promote its values at every opportunity.


The family is a very positive institution which always benefits its members.

Warm Bath Theory


  • Functionalists claim that home life is like a ‘warm bath’ which soaks away the stresses of the outside world.


  • It is an outlet for individuals to escape from modern day pressures.

  • George Murdock (1949) – a Functionalist argued that...

  • The family is found in all societies and it performs the same functions everywhere


  • So it is a universal institution with universal functions.

The role of the Family
2 key functionalist sociologists;

  • Parsons – 2 roles 



  • Murdock – 4 roles


Roles of the family (Murdock)

  • Regulation of sexual activity


  • sexual drive could lead to conflict over partners. 

  • cooperation is best achieved by couples living together for the long term and such a bond is cemented by sexual union

Roles of the family (Murdock)

 Reproduction

  • Couples must reproduce in order to maintain a society, no children, no future generations of people, no society.

  • Roles of the family (Murdock)
    Economic support and the sexual division of labour

    • Men are naturally stronger than women and therefore are the breadwinners of the family

    • Women are more suited to a nurturing role in which they care for the children and their husbands

    4. Primary Socialisation


    • Parents teach their children the norms and values needed for social order to be maintained in society

    • Parsons (functionalist)

    •  key functions of the family

      • Stabilisation of adult personalities

      • Using your textbook, define stabilisation of adult personalities and why this function is vital for society to run smoothly? This function refers to the family's role in providing emotional support and security for adults, helping them to cope with stresses from work and society. By facilitating a stable home environment, families enable individuals to develop emotional resilience, which is essential for maintaining societal order and cohesion. In addition, stable adult personalities contribute to healthier relationships and better parenting practices, which further aid in fostering the growth and development of children within the family unit.