Types of families

Social Studies Level: The Family

A common definition of a family is “a group of people related by marriage, ancestry, or adoption who live together in a common household”.

TYPES OF FAMILIES

Apart from the Nuclear family and Extended family the following family types can also be found in the Caribbean:

1.The Nuclear Family– consists of a mother, father and their children living under the same roof. This family type is common in modern industrial societies.

2. The Extended Family– consists of members which extend beyond a mother, father and their children. In one form of extended family, several generations may live together under the same roof or in a family compound. Such an extended family may consist of several married siblings, their spouses and offspring, together with grandparents and other relatives.

3.  Single Parent Family -this family is made up of one parent living with his/her child or children.  Single- parent family are formed out of the following circumstances:  ( a) One of the partners/parents is dead.   (b) Marriage has broken down and resulted in divorce or separation. (c) A woman bearing a child for a male who refuses to marry her, or whom she refuses to marry or live with             (d)  Some single persons make deliberate choices not to marry but adopt children.      

4. Sibling Family–  this is where brothers and sisters live together without the presence of an adult. However, they may be supervised by an adult(s) who live in close proximity even in the same yard or village.

5. Reorganized/Blended Family–  formed when one of the spouses or both spouses may bring into the new family a child or children from former relationships. In such a family children may have several half sisters and half brothers.

6. Co-custody family-  An arrangement where divorced parents both have legal responsibility for their children. Children may alternatively live with both parents or live with one and have regular visitation with the other.