We may think we know what we mean by a 'nuclear' family and an 'extended' family, but reality is more complicated than most people believe----- Nội dung dịch tự động từ ảnh ----- We may think we know what we mean by a 'nuclear' family and an 'extended' family, but reality is more complicated than most people believe. Most nuclear families are part of extended families: children have grandparents and in many cases, aunts, uncles and cousins as well. Part of what makes them 'nuclear' is that they live in their own separate household, but it is not the whole story. In Greece or Italy, for example, a nuclear family may live in its own flat, but the extended family may live in the same apartment block or in the same street and family members see each other and even eat together every day. True or False? Nuclear families are isolated from their extended family. There is at least one more factor to consider. "Family members may be separated from each other by geographical distance, but they may have close emotional ties. Even in North America and northern Europe, grandparents usually have close bonds with their grandchildren, and families often travel long distances so that they can see each other. Grandparents often help their adult children, for example, by cooking and looking after their children in emergencies. In the same way, when their parents become too old to live on their own, adult children may take them into their own homes. As a result, they turn their nuclear family into an extended family. True or False? Members of extended families often look after people who live in other households. The structure of families changes over time. The effects of urbanization and industrialization are enormous, but they are not the only reasons for the changes. People marry, have children, become widowed, divorce and die. Children grow up and adults grow old. Nuclear families become extended families and extended families become nuclear families. Family ties stay strong or become weak. One thing is certain: in a changing world, the family will continue to change, but ultimately, it is likely to continue to be the basic unit of society. True, False or Not Given? Changes to family structure will become increasingly fast in the future. |