Nuclear family

A Nuclear family (pronounced: /ˈnjuː.kli.ər ˈfæm.əl.i/), also known as an elementary 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.

Etymology

The term "nuclear family" was first used in the early 20th century. The term describes the family unit that is the "nucleus" of other larger family structures, which include grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. The term can be contrasted with the term "extended family", which refers to the network of relatives outside the nuclear family.

Related terms

Extended family: An extended family is a family that extends beyond the nuclear family, consisting of parents like father, mother, and their children, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins, all living in the same household.
Single-parent family: A single-parent family is a family where a parent lives with dependent children, either alone or in a larger household, without a spouse or partner.
Stepfamily: A stepfamily, blended family, or bonus family, is a family where at least one parent has children that are not genetically related to the other spouse or partner.
Adoptive family: An adoptive family is a family where one or more of the children has been adopted. Any subsequent biological children do not affect the legal status of the adopted children.