Traditional Nuclear Family vs. Blended Family
Kristy Jackson
Communication Department
CSU, Sacramento
jacksonk@csus.edu
In today's society, a strong indicator of the variety of family structures in which children live is the number of definitions of the term family structure. I have focused on the two opposite family structures- the traditional nuclear family and the blended family.
A traditional nuclear family consists of a married couple and their biological child or children. A child in a traditional nuclear family lives with both biological parents, if siblings are present, only full brothers and sisters (that is, siblings who share the same two biological parents). No other persons are present in the household (that is, no steprelatives, foster and adopted children, half-siblings, and other relatives or non-relatives).
A blended family/blended household includes at least one step-parent, stepsiblings, and/or half-siblings. A step-parent is the spouse of the child's biological parent but is not the child's biological parent. Step-siblings do not share a common biological parent; the biological parent of one child is the step-parent of the other. Half-siblings share only one biological parent.
Out of all the different definitions of family structure, some children may be described as living in more than one category of family structure.
Which family structure is best for children?
Some researchers have demonstrated that children of blended families do worse, on average, than children in the traditional nuclear family. They have found that children of blended families (or children of divorce) score lower on measures of academic achievement, conduct, psychological adjustment, and the quality of mother-child and father-child relationships. However, others qualify these types of findings by emphasizing that these outcomes are not true for all children of blended families, only some children.
The children of a traditional nuclear family may not be better off in the long run. Children suffer from pre-divorce stress. Assuming there is parental conflict, children will pick up on the variables which effect the probability of divorce:
-non-compatible gender roles
-parental differenees
-boredom with every day married life
-financial difficulty
The key faetor in having emotionally stable children is parenting. Regardless of your family structure, keep your parenting style consistent. At all times you must be loving, caring, and patient. Be willing to teach and communicate openly with your kids. Remember, parenting is a lifetime commitment, do not give up!
References
Rosemond, John. Better Homes and Gardens: "Blended Families... one step at a time." Feb. 1994 v72 n2 p56.
Wassil-Grimm, Claudette. (1994). Where's Daddy? The Overlook Press: Woodstock, New York. (P. 199-217).
Hilton, Jeanne M.; and Devall, Esther L. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage: "Comparison of parenting and children's behavior in single-mother, single-father, and intact families." Nov-Dec 1998 v29 i3 p23(3).
Adams, Rebecca; and Utesch, William. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences: "Working With Children From One-Parent Homes in the Child-Care Setting." Fall l99X v90 i3 p55(5).
FAQs
The nuclear family is considered the “traditional” family and consists of a mother, father, and the children. The two-parent nuclear family has become less prevalent, and alternative family forms such as, hom*osexual relationships, single-parent households, and adopting individuals are more common.
What was the traditional nuclear family? ›
A traditional nuclear family consists of a married couple and their biological child or children. A child in a traditional nuclear family lives with both biological parents, if siblings are present, only full brothers and sisters (that is, siblings who share the same two biological parents).
What are the advantages and disadvantages of traditional family? ›
There are several benefits to living in a traditional family such as more stability or consistency with raising children and increased financial stability. The disadvantages, however, can be isolation from extended family members, difficulty finding childcare, and burnout.
What are the advantages of traditional nuclear family? ›
Advantages of Nuclear family
- Possibility of Reduced Conflicts. ...
- Personal Responsibilities. ...
- Harmony and peace. ...
- A limited number of children. ...
- Women's Good Status:
Traditional family has been defined as two or more people who are related by blood, marriage, and—occasionally—adoption (Murdock, 1949). Historically, the most standard version of the traditional family has been the two-parent family.
What is the definition of a traditional family structure? ›
A traditional family structure may be defined as one in which the child resides with both biological mother and father. Not long ago, the ideal family was considered to be a working father, a stay-at- home wife, and their biological children. Today less than one in ten families reflect that ideal (Macionis, 1995).
Why is a traditional family called nuclear? ›
The term 'nuclear family' is derived from the word 'nucleus', referring to the core of something. In this case, this family unit is the core or the basis of all family structures. It is nuclear because it is at the center of how we define the family unit.
What is the difference between traditional and non-traditional families? ›
For the most part, the term traditional family describes a two-parent family with a mother and father raising their biological children. So, a non-traditional family is any type of family that falls outside that definition. Single-parent families. Divorced families.
What is the opposite of traditional nuclear family? ›
A nuclear family, elementary family, atomic family, cereal-packet family or conjugal family is a family group consisting of parents and their children (one or more), typically living in one home residence. It is in contrast to a single-parent family, the larger extended family, or a family with more than two parents.
What are the values of a traditional family? ›
Definition. Several online dictionaries define "family values" as the following: "the moral and ethical principles traditionally upheld and passed on within a family, as fidelity, honesty, truth, and faith."
Traditional economy disadvantages are as follows: Starvation: People may starve from food shortage if there is a lack of agricultural, hunting, or fishing produce. Risk of Exploitation: Developed economies. read more often invade underdeveloped economies to exploit the land and natural resources.
Why are traditional family values important? ›
Instilling family values can protect and guide children against making hurtful decisions in the future as they teach a sense of right and wrong. They can add to relationships and influence judgments, behaviors, and parenting styles.
What is the main disadvantages of nuclear family? ›
A nuclear family is more likely to become isolated from their extended family members. They do not get to see their grandparents, aunts and uncles as frequently, making it harder to bond with extended family. They may miss out on understanding generational traditions and family expectations.
What are more disadvantages of nuclear family? ›
Negative effects of the nuclear family include the isolation and emotional dependency of the husband-wife and parent-child relationship, which produces tensions and may lead to marriage breakdown in the former instance and juvenile delinquency and other juvenile problems in the latter.
What are the two types of nuclear families? ›
There are two types of nuclear families of which every person is a part. First, there is the family of origin, which is the family where one is a child. Then there is the family of offspring, where one is a parent. Stereotypically a nuclear family is defined by a mother and a father living together with their children.
What is the difference between a traditional family and a non-traditional family? ›
For the most part, the term traditional family describes a two-parent family with a mother and father raising their biological children. So, a non-traditional family is any type of family that falls outside that definition. Single-parent families.
What are the different types of nuclear family? ›
Many individuals are part of two nuclear families in their lives: the family of origin in which they are offspring, and the family of procreation in which they are a parent.
