Question:
How are families structured around the world?
Classifying Family Structures:
Around the world, there are may be as many family structures as there are families. However, anthropologists and sociologists create broad categories of family structures to help simplify them based on common characteristics.
Answer and Explanation:
The six main types of family structures around the world are nuclear families, extending families, compound families, blended families, joint families, and chosen families. Nuclear families involve two parents and their children that are below the age of adulthood living in the same home. Extended families include the family of a nuclear family with additional relations living in the same home or in close proximity with a high level of interaction. Compound families involve three or more married individuals, though polyamorous relationships also count, and their children. Blended families are those composed of two individuals, their children, and their separate children from previous relationships. Joint families involve several siblings, their spouses, and their children all living in the same home. Finally, chosen families are families composed of unrelated individuals that chose to create a family structure through a shared interest in caring for each other and sharing responsibilities and finances.
