Table of contents:
- 1. Family of origin
- 2. Extended family
- 3. Nuclear family
- 4. Reconstituted family
- 5. One-parent family
- 6. Large family
- 7. Homoparental family
- 8. Adoptive family
- 9. Host family
- 10. Family without children
In sociology, family types is something that has been studied through the years. The definition of family according to authors varies, since it is a complex concept. According to Émile Durkheim, the family structure is united by the fact of sharing values. For Herbert Spencer, the functions of the family are procreation and ensuring the minimum conditions for the existence of children.
Families have evolved over the years. What are the types of family that exist in today's society? Single-parent, homoparental families, among others, are becoming more common. So that, today, we find a great variety of types of families. If you want to know some of these current types of family and their characteristics, do not hesitate to continue reading this Psychology-Online article where we will expose the 10 types of family that exist in today's society and their characteristics. Do you identify with any of them?
It may also interest you: Types of feminism that currently exist Index- Family of origin
- Extended family
- Nuclear family
- Reconstituted family
- Single parent family
- Large family
- Homoparental family
- Adoptive family
- Host family
- Family without children
1. Family of origin
The family of origin refers to the typical family where there is a single union between two adults and a single line of descent, that is, the closest family: the parents (parents) and their children. This type of family is made up of the following subsystems: conjugal, paternal, children and siblings. Thus, it is a parent couple that generates new individuals, raises them and educates them in a family environment.
In this sense, origin is an aspect that defines people, that is, the origin of people is what, to a large extent, today makes them who they are. In addition, the origin is of great importance in the development of people, since it can influence when developing genetic diseases or when facing complex situations through difficult emotional responses. For this reason, it is important to attend to family dynamics, to be able to observe if affect, dysfunctional dynamics, among others, predominate.
2. Extended family
When we speak of the extended family, we refer to that family made up of all its members by consanguinity that go beyond the nucleus that coexists in the same household, that is, whose relationships are not solely and exclusively between parents and children, but include other relatives of consanguinity or related. For example, some of the members considered as extended family are cousins, uncles, grandparents, and so on.
3. Nuclear family
This type of family refers to those members of the family who live in the same family nucleus, that is, in the same home. Normally these are the same components as in the family of origin (mother, father and children), although on some occasions other members can be added, such as those families in which they cohabit with other members of consanguinity, such as the grandparents. There are different types of nuclear family such as simple nuclear family, biparental nuclear family, single parent nuclear family, extended nuclear family, etc.
In order to get a clear idea of what a person's nuclear family is, a genogram can be performed. The genogram is a diagram or graphic representation where information about family members, at least three generations, and the relationships they have between them is noted. Thus, within the genogram, in order to know which is the nuclear family, with a pencil they surround themselves, leaving within a circle, the members of the family that cohabit within the same household.
4. Reconstituted family
Another type of family that exists in today's society is the reconstituted family. The reconstituted family is characterized by the introduction of a new conjugal relationship in the family, with the existence or not of children from previous couples or conjugal relationships. Thus, these are families formed or reconstituted by members outside the family, who usually come from other family nuclei.
For example, in a family of divorced parents, one of the parents begins a new marital relationship with another person. This situation implies that the children must adapt to the arrival of their parent's new partner, especially if this new partner moves into the home.
5. One-parent family
Another type of family that exists is the single-parent family. Single-parent families are those that are formed by one of the parents (mother or father) and their children. These situations can be caused by different aspects: separation or divorce of the parents, where only one of the parents takes care of the children; being a single mother without knowing the father (artificial insemination, adoption, unwanted pregnancy…); death of one of the parents; and finally, the abandonment of one of the parents. There are different types of single parent families.
Depending on each situation, some consequences or others may be generated in the children (emotional deprivation…), generally minors and, therefore, more vulnerable than adults. In addition, single parenthood can cause an overload for the parent who takes care of the children, due to the absence of the figure of the other parent. In this article you can read tips for single parents.
6. Large family
Large families are those in which the parents have three or more children, the limiting number being determined by each country. In addition, it should be noted that there are two degrees of large family that are differentiated by the number of children and other circumstances such as single parenthood, the disability of one of the children, among others.
In Spain, these two degrees are called general large family and special large family. In addition, the fact of being a large family is related to benefits and social aids that the family receives due to being large and, depending on each grade and specific situations, the benefits will be one or the other. Large family requirements change by area and change over time.
7. Homoparental family
The homoparental family, as its name indicates, refers to those families in which the parents are homosexual, that is, the parents share the same sex, or two men, or two women. When these couples choose to have children, they usually resort to adoption or artificial insemination.
In the past, this type of family was less seen, since socially they were frowned upon compared to classic heterosexual families and, therefore, had more difficulties in opting for adoption. But as the years have passed, these families have become more and more accepted and tolerated. The homoparental family is another of the types of families that exist in today's society.
8. Adoptive family
Another type of family is the adoptive one. The adoptive family refers to those parents who decide to adopt a child. Although they are not their biological parents, they must exercise the role or role of parents, so that they will be the ones who will educate their adoptive children and perform all those tasks that all biological parents usually perform.
The meaning of child adoption is to receive a boy or girl as a child without having gone through the biological process of conception. There are different types of adoption, such as domestic adoption and international adoption.
The act of adopting implies a mutual benefit between the adoptive parents and the children. On the one hand, children are given the opportunity to have a family, since they were previously abandoned by their biological parents, a fact that can generate great traumatic consequences depending on the situation. On the other hand, adoptive parents are benefited since they can fulfill their desire to be fathers or mothers and that for different reasons they cannot be so biologically, although there are also many people who decide to adopt in order to meet the needs of the children who most they need it.
9. Host family
On many occasions, foster families are confused with adoptive families. While it is true, in both types of families the adults who take care of the children are not their biological parents, however, what differentiates them is the amount of time the child will spend with those non-biological parents.
In the case of adoption, it is a permanent situation of the child in the adoptive family, that is, the child immediately becomes the child of his adoptive parents. On the other hand, in the case of reception, it is a temporary reception of the children in a family outside their own, due to the need to separate from their biological parents as estimated by social services, and thus be able to offer them an environment where Children have the opportunity to grow up outside their parents' family problems, until they have solved their problems.
10. Family without children
A couple who live together, who have a common life project and who love and support each other, can be another of the current types of family. Also without children, an adult couple can form a family. The couple can be both heterosexual and homosexual.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to The types of family that exist and their characteristics, we recommend that you enter our Social Psychology category.
Bibliography- Cadoret, A. (2004). Pluriparent and reference family. Adoption and foster care. Present and prospects. Barcelona: University of Barcelona, 273-283.
- Caniço, H., Bairrada, P., Rodríguez, E., and Carvalho, A. (2010). New types of family: care plan. University of Coimbra: coordinaç ã o.
- Pillcorema Ludizaca, BE (2013). Structural family types and the relationship with their limits (Bachelor's thesis).