Question

What is a definition of family that encompasses the different family structures prevalent today? Discuss the importance of acknowledging nontraditional family structures. Explain how family systems theory can be used to better understand the interactions of a modern family (traditional or nontraditional).

Answer 1

Family refers to a group of members who are blood related to one another or having a legal relationships through marriage.

Some ofvthe common family structure are

Nuclear family is also called as traditional family method which includes the mother father and their children till their marriage..This is a traditional family.

The following family can be categorized into non traditional family

Single parent family includes one of the parent raising one or more children who could have married and divorced, widowed,not married

Matrifocal family includes the mother and one or more children as a family.This has been a trend in 21st century

Extended family consists of a mother ,father,children ,grandparents

Blended family refers to one or the other parents remarried with the children in the family

Monogamous family refers to only one partner throughout their life time

Polygamous family refers to multiple relationships. If a man has more than two wives it is polygamy and similarly if a women has two or more husbands it is called as polyandry.

Nontraditional family has been in practice now a days.Over time it became a part to be accepted .The main importance of acknowledging them is a part of respecting the relationship unless it disturbs the harmony of the society or the community .The LGBT people are still facing a problem in testing acknowledged.

The family system theory describes that an individual cannot be identified in isolation ,if he is in a part of family he could be understood easily because they hace certain roles and responsibility to play in the family.They exhibit certain pattern to be followed ,also describes where a problem arises in marital life,the triangles having nine side conflicts and others sides harmony,societal relationships can be learnt,ways in handling emotions.This all can be seen in both a traditional and nontraditional family.