Types of Families

1. There are many types of families. The smallest family is that of two persons such as a husband and wife, a parent and child, or a brother and sister. These units are kinds of nuclear families. Nuclear families include any two or more persons related to one another by blood, marriage, or adoption and who share a common residence. When the unit includes a husband and wife, it is considered a conjugal family as well. In 1980 there were 58.4 million families in the United States. Of these, 48.1 million were conjugal, 1.7 million were families headed by a man with no wife present, and 8.5 million were headed by a woman with no husband present.

2 Nuclear and conjugal families as independent units are very rare in the world. In most societies the extended family is the norm. This type includes relatives such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, or cousins. American families typically have what is called a modified extended family structure. When couples marry they are likely to form a household separate from either set of parents. Yet they maintain close ties with their families. They do exchange phone calls, letters, and holiday or birthday greetings. In this sense a nuclear family becomes a modified form of an extended one though not in terms of residence.

3. In the traditional arranged marriage, the parents are expected to find someone compatible for their child. The newly weds’ parents arbitrate, advice and encourage them and this social network helps to smooth out major disagreements. They take place around the world, but are prevalent in South Asia.

4. A “marriage of convenience ” is when a person gets married for the reason, the spouse that is sponsoring the reason is an unknowing victim.

5. Not surprisingly, sociologists stress the fragility of the traditional love marriage (love match). “Love among young people is often hormonal and not a good foundation for a successful family life”

DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING:

1. In your own words, define what is meant by: a nuclear family, a conjugal family, an extended family, an arranged marriage, a marriage of convenience.

2. According to the article the smallest possible family unit consists of how many people?

3. Which is larger, a nuclear or extended family?

4. Which is more traditional? A nuclear or extended family?

5. In the United States, do most people live in nuclear or extended families?

6. Do you consider the family you grew up in to be more nuclear or extended?

7. What are some advantages of a nuclear/ an extended family? Disadvantages?

8. List some advantages and disadvantages of a marriage of convenience/ an arranged marriage.

9. Do you agree, that love is not a good foundation for a successful family life?

Дата добавления: 2015-11-16