Nuclear family

Nuclear Family

The Nuclear family is a family group consisting of two parents and their children (one or more). It is in contrast to a single-parent family, to the larger extended family, and to a family with more than two parents. Nuclear families typically center on a married couple which may have any number of children. There are differences in definition among observers. Some definitions allow only biological children that are full-blood siblings and consider adopted or half and step siblings a part of the immediate family, but others allow for a stepparent and any mix of dependent children including stepchildren and adopted children.

History

The term nuclear family first appeared in the early 20th century. Alternative definitions have evolved to include family units headed by same-sex parents and perhaps additional adult relatives who take on a cohabiting parental role.

In Society

In sociology and anthropology, the concept of the nuclear family is generally traced back to the Western European bourgeoisie, where it emerged as a result of the modernization of the pre-modern society.

Criticism

The concept of the nuclear family has been criticized by some sociologists and anthropologists who argue that it often leads to isolation and economic difficulties, especially for the woman, who stays at home with the children while the man works.

See also

• Extended family
• Family structure
• Family values
• Kinship
• Marriage

External links

• Encyclopædia Britannica: nuclear family

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