Today’s families are increasingly free to organize themselves in different ways.
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What is a family?
Any attempt to arrive at a common and unambiguous definition of family is risky. The reason is that there are different understandings of what this concept means, going far beyond the well-known term “traditional family”.
However, it is surely easy to find different points on which everyone can agree. In the first place it is obvious that the family is the microsystem in which we start our lives, beyond the fact that in some cases its stability can be lost.
In this sense, the usual thing is that in this nucleus affective bonds of vital importance in our existence are created. Although some family systems may have certain dysfunctions, a person usually finds in the family security and affection.
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The 10 types of families (and their characteristics)
Over the centuries the idea of the traditional family has remained virtually unchanged. Even so, this does not mean that it is the only familiar form, and in fact today it is possible to find more examples than ever of the existing heterogeneity,
In society, a multitude of family systems are formed, which have their own characteristics. However, it is possible to classify them into a few large groups that represent the main types of families that exist and that are presented below.
1. Patriarchal family
The patriarchal family was the most widespread family form until the beginning of the 20th century . It is a system with many members in which the oldest man makes the decisions and the responsibility of leading the system.
In this type of family, the parents live together with their married children and their descendants, and it is a way of organizing that largely responded to economic needs.
It was very common in rural areas where the land was worked, and after industrialization it gradually disappeared. It is still in force in many developing countries.
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2. Nuclear family
The nuclear family refers to what many people consider the “traditional family” . Even so, not everyone agrees on the meaning of these expressions, and some clarifications must be made.
In a strict sense, a nuclear or traditional family is made up of a pair of mated adults and one or more children. On the other hand, the most extensive considerations of the term include those families formed by an adult and her/his child/children.
3. Family without children
A childless family makes the decision not to have children . At a cultural level, many people may feel pressure when it comes to bringing children into the world, but this is a choice that each couple must value based on what they want or what is possible for them.
In fact, the reasons for not having children can be very varied. Lack of desire, personal advancement, socioeconomic difficulties, personal circumstances, or even fear or philosophical ideals about procreation may be reason enough.
4. Extended family
Extended family generally refers to ties of blood . Therefore, consider that the nuclear family is located within the extended family, which is made up of other family nuclei that share kinship.
In this way, parents, grandparents, cousins, uncles, nephews are part of an extended family. They do not share a home and may not even share time or interests in common, but the extended family can be understood only within the parameters of consanguinity.
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5. Homoparental Familia
The homoparental family is one in which both parents are men or women . It is a type of family that is on the rise, which is directly linked to the fact that homosexuality can gradually be expressed normally in advanced societies.
However, there are still many legal obstacles for homoparental families. At the legal level, there is still work to be done in many countries, beyond the fact that there are people who are against it.
However, all studies indicate that homoparental families are as or more beneficial for the well-being and development of children than heteroparental families.
6. Single parent family
The single-parent family is made up of only one parent and his/her children . It is one of the types of family that is growing the most in number in the societies of the most developed countries, already exceeding 10% of cases in many countries.
There are several reasons for single-parent families, but basically they come down to the separation of the parents, the death of one of them or the decision of an adult to have a child on their own. Statistically there are many more cases of women at the head of this type of family than men.
7. Family of separated parents
In families with separated parents, they live in different households . They have ended their romantic relationships, so all family members do not live under the same roof.
The usual thing is that the children are with one of the parents or that they alternate their stay in the two homes. This happens when there is joint custody, which legally allows both parents to exercise their role as father or mother.
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8. Stepfamily
Stepfamilies represent a reunion between old families . It refers to those systems in which two adults get together and establish their home together with the children of previous relationships.
In this sense, reconstituted families represent a type of family with little consanguinity. In fact, there is no need for the children to be biologically related to either parent.
9. Adoptive family
In the adoptive family the children do not share blood with the parents . It is a system in which children are adopted for different possible reasons, being orphanhood the main reason that these children are not with their biological parents.
On the other hand, parents often adopt because of their infertility, but this is not the case in all cases. Adoption today knows no borders, and there are many parents who decide to adopt a child from an orphaned third world country.
10. Host family
The foster family could be described as a case of temporary adoption. These are cases where parents, for whatever reason, are not in a position to have their children in charge for a period of time and must leave it to another family to take care of them.
It is a fairly common type of family in countries such as England or Ireland. During this time the host family receives assistance from the State, and when the parents have overcome their difficulties they can be reunited with their children. If this does not happen, sometimes the foster parents end up adopting the children.
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References
- Calò, E. (2009). Marriage à la carte: Marriages, registered partnerships and divorces after community intervention. Milan: Giuffrè
- Del Fresno García, M. (2011). Challenges for social intervention with families in the XXI century. Madrid: Trotta.
- Vázquez de Prada, M. (2008). History of the contemporary family: main changes in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Madrid: Ediciones Rialp.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.