In sociology, family types are something that has been studied over the years. The definition of family according to authors varies, since it is a complex concept. According to Émile Durkheim, the family structure is cohesive 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 families, homoparental families, among others, are increasingly common. So, today, we find a great variety of family types. If you want to know some of these current types of families and their characteristics, do not hesitate to continue reading this Psychology-Online article where we will explain the 10 types of family that exist in today’s society and their characteristics. Do you identify with any of them?
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: parents (parents) and their children. This type of family is made up of the following subsystems: marital, 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, makes them who they are today. Besides, origin has great importance in 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 pay attention to the , to be able to observe if affect, dysfunctional dynamics, among others, predominate.
2. Extended family
When we talk about the extended family we are referring to that family made up of all its members. members of consanguinity that go beyond the nucleus that cohabits in the same home, that is, whose relationships are not solely and exclusively between parents and children, but include other blood or related relatives. For example, some of the members considered to be extended family are cousins, uncles, grandparents, etc.
3. Nuclear family
This type of family refers to those family members who They live in the same family unit, 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, for example, the grandparents. There are different types of nuclear family such as simple nuclear family, two-parent nuclear family, single-parent nuclear family, extended nuclear family, etc.
In order to form 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 is noted about family members, at least three generations, and the relationships they have between them. So, within the genogram, in order to know which is the nuclear family, with a pencil they are circled, leaving inside a circle, family members who cohabit within the same home.
4. Reconstituted family
Another type of family that exists in today’s society is the reconstituted family. The reconstituted family is characterized by introduction of a new marital relationship in the family, with the existence or not of children from previous partners or marital relationships. Thus, these are families formed or reconstituted by members outside the family, who normally come from other family units.
For example, in a family of , one of the parents begins a new marital relationship with another person. This situation implies that children must adapt to the arrival of their parent’s new partner, especially if this new partner moves into the home.
5. Single parent family
Another type of family that exists is the single-parent family. Single-parent families are those that are made up of one of the parents (mother or father) and her children. These situations can be caused by different aspects: the separation or divorce of the parents, where only one parent 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 lack…), generally minors and, therefore, more vulnerable than adults. Furthermore, single parenthood can cause an overload to the parent who takes care of the children, due to the absence of the other parent. In this article you can read.
6. Large family
Large families are those in which the parents have three or more children, the number that limits it being determined by each country. Furthermore, it should be noted that there are two degrees of large families 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. Furthermore, the fact of being a large family is related to benefits and social aid that the family receives for being large and, depending on each degree and the specific situations, the benefits will be one or another. 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, parents share the same sex, either 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 they were socially frowned upon compared to classic heterosexual families and, therefore, had more difficulties in opting for adoption. But as the years have gone by, these families have become more and more accepted and tolerated. The homoparental family is another type of family that exists in today’s society.
8. Adoptive family
Another type of family is the adoptive one. The adoptive family refers to those parents who They decide to adopt a child. Even if they are not their biological parents, they must exercise the role or the , so that they will be the ones who will educate their adoptive children and carry out 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 fact of adopting implies a mutual benefit between the adoptive parents and the children. On the one hand, children receive 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 benefit since they can fulfill their desire to be fathers or mothers and who, for various reasons, cannot be biologically so, although they also There are many people who decide to adopt to be able to meet the needs of the children who need it most.
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 that the child will spend with those non-biological parents.
In the case of the adoptionIt 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 foster care of children in a family other than 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 possibility of growing up outside of their parents’ family problems , until they have solved their problems.
10. Family without children
A couple who lives together, who has a common life project and who loves and supports each other, can be another of the current types of family. Even without children, an adult couple can form a family. The couple can be both heterosexual and homo sexual.
This article is merely informative, at 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.
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Bibliography
- Cadoret, A. (2004). Plurikinship and reference family. Adoption and fostering. Present and perspectives. 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: coordinationtoeither.
- Pillcorema Ludizaca, B.E. (2013). Types of structural family and the relationship with their limits (Bachelor’s thesis).