This document summarizes and compares different types of families: nuclear families, extended families, single parent households, reconstructed/blended families, and sibling households. For each family type, it provides a brief definition and then lists potential advantages and disadvantages. Some of the family types discussed include nuclear families consisting of parents and children, extended families with multiple generations living together, single parent households with only one parent, and reconstructed families formed when one spouse has been previously married. The document aims to explain the key characteristics of different family structures.

1. Ms. K. Harris
Arima North Secondary
1 | P a g e
SOCIAL STUDIES: FORM 1
FAMILY TYPES
FAMILY TYPES EXPLANATION ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Nuclear Family Consists of a mother, father and
their child/children living under
the same roof.
 Parents support each other, share
responsibilities.
 Two role models to teach
appropriate behavior.
 More financially secure; stable
and caring environment.
 Caring home environment helps
good self-esteem.
 Can be isolated from other
relatives.
 Parents may lack support of
extended family.
 Children have less
experience of a range of
opinions and views.
 Less opportunity for
problem solving.
Extended Family Consists of members that
extend beyond a mother, father
and their children. Several
generations may live together
under the same roof or family
compound.
 More opportunity to gain
knowledge from elders.
 More possibilities for assistance
with childcare.
 Financial help could be provided.
 Extra help with house chores,
discipline etc.
 Less privacy or space as
some households can
become overcrowded.
 Multiple authority figures
may cause confusion about
who is in setting of rules.
 Some persons may be more
difficult than others to get
along with.
Single Parent Household This consists of only one parent
living with his/her child or
children.
 Members learn how to be
independent. The children tend to
learn to take more responsibilities.
 They can share more with the one
parent.
 Total financial responsibility
on lone parent.
 Limited time to share with
child/children as a result of
balancing full-time job and
family.
 Lack of same-sex role
models.

2. Ms. K. Harris
Arima North Secondary
2 | P a g e
Reorganized/Reconstructed/
Blended Family
This is formed when one of the
spouses has had an earlier
relationship. A previous union
may have been broken through
death of a spouse or divorce.
 They learn to cooperate and
develop good communication
skills.
 There is a sharing of parenting
responsibilities.
 Difficulty adjusting to the
new family structure.
 Depending of the number of
children, it may cost more to
manage.
Sibling Household This situation occurs when both
parents are absent from the
home and older brothers/sisters
take care of the younger ones.
 Children foster a stronger sibling
bond.
 They develop a greater sense of
responsibility.
 Older sibling is forced to
take on adult responsibility.
 Educational pursuits of
siblings may be affected.
 As a result of the roles and
responsibilities children may
lack the chance of socialize
and enjoy their teenage
years.