8 Common Family Structures in Modern-Day Society

This article was co-authored by Lauren Urban, LCSW and by wikiHow staff writer, Glenn Carreau. Lauren Urban is a licensed psychotherapist in Brooklyn, New York, with over 13 years of therapy experience working with children, families, couples, and individuals. She received her Masters in Social Work from Hunter College in 2006, and specializes in working with the LGBTQIA community and with clients in recovery or considering recovery for drug and alcohol use.

This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.

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How many different family structures are there, and is any one type considered “the norm”? We’re here to tell you everything you need to know. “Family structure” describes the relationships between people living in a household who consider each other family. There are several types of family structures, from the traditional nuclear family to nontraditional (but increasingly common) single-parent or same-sex families. Here, we’ll help you understand the potential pros and cons of each and what qualities make them special. Ready to learn more? Then read on!

Nuclear Family

• Strengths:
  • There are two parents to set good examples for the kids.
  • Joint salaries tend to make life more financially stable.
  • Home life is often more consistent for kids.
  • This family unit tends to share like-minded ideas and may struggle to resolve conflicts with extended family members who have differing opinions.
  • Living apart from extended relatives can weaken the family’s support system.
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  Single-Parent Family

  

  • Strengths:
    • The parent and their kids often become especially close.
    • Kids tend to learn responsibility from a young age.
    • Both the parent and children tend to be very resilient.
    • It may be harder to make ends meet with only one income.
    • Childcare can be difficult for a parent working full-time.

    Extended Family

    

    • Strengths:
      • These families emphasize values like respect, courtesy, and caring for the elderly.
      • The family has more social support among all the various relatives.
      • In an extended family, there are more people to help with chores.
      • If living space is limited, lack of privacy can be problematic.
      • Income can be tough to manage if the parents support several different relatives.
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      Same-Sex Family

      

      • Strengths:
        • There are two parents to set a good example for their kids.
        • Two salaries make it easier to afford childcare.
        • Despite concerns that same-sex families aren’t healthy for kids, research shows that kids of same-parents do as well (or better than) kids from nuclear families in terms of their well-being, development, education, and more. [5] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
        • Much like nuclear families, excluding extended relatives can undermine the family support system.

        Family Without Children

        

        • Strengths:
          • Couples have more one-on-one time together.
          • Couples also have more disposable income without childcare expenses.
          • They have the freedom to travel and pursue different careers.
          • If infertility is an issue and the couple wants kids, being childless can be painful.
          • Couples may feel a little isolated when other friends or family start having kids.
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          Stepfamily

          

          • Strengths:
            • Children get to bond with their stepsiblings and stepparents.
            • Kids get to have two (or more) parental figures to look up to.
            • This family type also gets to rely on two incomes instead of one.
            • Parents and children may take time to adjust to their new family dynamic.
            • Parents may have problems disciplining one another's children.

            Grandparent Family

            

            • Strengths:
              • This kind of family prevents kids from entering the foster care system.
              • Kids get a stable life with two parental figures to look up to.
              • Grandparents have the chance to form a deeper bond with their grandkids.
              • Income may be an issue if the grandparents don’t work full-time jobs.
              • It may be tough for grandparents to care for kids as they get older.
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              Polyamorous Family

              

              • Strengths:
                • Bigger families often enjoy greater stability.
                • There’s more income for childcare and living expenses.
                • There are more parents to share in the challenges and responsibilities of childcare.
                • There may be legal challenges to figure out (many regions have restrictions on listing parents for a child’s birth certificate).
                • Kids with polyamorous parents may have to deal with other people's judgment of their family structure.

                Expert Q&A

                What advice would you give to grandparents suddenly raising their grandchildren? Lauren Urban, LCSW
                Licensed Psychotherapist

                Lauren Urban is a licensed psychotherapist in Brooklyn, New York, with over 13 years of therapy experience working with children, families, couples, and individuals. She received her Masters in Social Work from Hunter College in 2006, and specializes in working with the LGBTQIA community and with clients in recovery or considering recovery for drug and alcohol use.

                Licensed Psychotherapist Expert Answer

                Many grandparents end up as the main caregivers for their grandkids. I've worked with lots of families in this situation. It's a huge transition, no doubt about it. I'd say, first, find some support. Connect with other grandparents who are raising their grandkids. Share stories and advice. Also, think about seeing a counselor. This is emotionally taxing. You shouldn't handle it alone. Lastly, don't be shy asking your grandkids' parents for help sometimes. Like with discipline issues. You're new to this, so get their take when needed. I know it's not easy, but try to take it one day at a time. And know you're giving your grandkids an amazing gift.

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                Ultimately, there’s no “best” family structure or ideal way to raise a family. Family takes many forms, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, and the idea of “family” means different things to different people. The most important part of a family is the love and support they give each other—and any of the above structures can provide that!

                If you’re struggling to adjust to a new family structure, consider finding a therapist who specializes in family issues and relationships.

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