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.