Definition of Family Family

17 this approach, Reiss and Wamboltd define family as a group of intimates who generate a sense of home and group identity, complete with strong ties of loyalty and emotion, and an experience of history and a future Fitzpatrick and Noller 6. b. Kinds of Family The kinds of family can be differentiated into two main divisions, namely nuclear family and extended family. Cheal in Sociology of Family Life, defines nuclear family as a small group consisting of a wife and a husband who live together, as well as the children. While extended family is a large group containing more than one couple or more than one parent-child, whose members are linked by descend ties. Therefore, extended family typically involving three generations of family members Cheal 159. Miller in Family Communication, classifies eleven kinds of family structure based on the wide diversity of family structure Miller 2. They are as follows. 1 The two-parents and natural children This family consists of father, mother and their natural children. This is the traditional pattern of family which still makes up the greater percentage of family units today. 2 The blended In this family, children live with two parents but only one of whom is their natural father or mother. 3 A couple who does not want children PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI 18 This family only consists of husband and wife without any children. 4 Grandparents who take care of grandchildren This family consists of grandparents who live with their grandchildren since the parents are unable to take care of their own children. 5 Single parents In this family, children only live with the father or the mother. The most common reason of this condition is the death of a spouse. 6 The divorced, custodial parent In this family, the divorced-parent has the main care of the children. 7 The divorced, non custodial parent In this family, the divorced-parent has the care of the children only a minimal part of the time. 8 The unmarried mother and child This family only consists of the unmarried mother and the child. 9 The unmarried, adoptive parent and child This family consists of unmarried couple and adoptive child. The main reason of this condition is the couple decides not to get married but they want to take care of a child. 10 The widowed In this case, a couple is divorced and they do not have any child with them.

c. Conflicts in Family

19 Since family members have a frequent and intense close contact, which can lead them to annoyance and irritability, conflict cannot be separated from family life. Conflict usually occurs when family members disagree about the events and situations in their family lives. According to Fitzpatrick and Noller in Communication in Family Relationship, there are three main aspects of conflicts in a family. They are kinds of conflict, causes of conflict, and family conflict resolution Fitzpatrick and Noller 99. 1 Kinds of Conflict in Family Generally, conflicts in families can be divided into content issues and relationship issues. In Communication in Family Relationship as cited by Fitzpatrick and Noller, it is described that less satisfied couples have more conflicts than the more satisfied couples do. In content issues, the conflicts commonly occur in the areas of finance, family members, concerns about health and fitness, feelings about relationship, religious beliefs, plan for the future, feelings about personal appearances, competences, and things that lead to anger or depression. Though the areas of conflict between parents and adolescents are about day- to-day living in the family, the conflicts tend to be about minor matters like dress and social life. Other topics include personal hygiene, disobedience, schoolwork, social activities, friendships, chores, and fights with siblings. Adolescents argue about different topics with mothers and fathers. Argument with mothers tends to be about clothes, friendships and manners. Conflicts with fathers are about money, use of leisure time and attitudes toward school.