FAMILY

- Smallest and the most basic unit of society

- it consist of a father, mother and one or more children
- Family is an intimate domestic group made up of people related to one another by bonds of blood,
sexual, mating or legal ties.
TYPES OF FAMILY
1. Nuclear Family
- The nuclear family is the traditional type of family structure. This family type consists of two parents
and children. The nuclear family was long held in esteem by society as being the ideal in which to raise
children. Children in nuclear families receive strength and stability from the two-parent structure and
generally have more opportunities due to the financial ease of two adults.
2. Single Parent Family
- The single parent family consists of one parent raising one or more children on his own. This family
may include a single mother with her children, a single dad with his kids, or a single person with their
kids. The single parent family is the biggest change society has seen in terms of the changes in family
structures. One in four children is born to a single mother. Single parent families are generally close and
find ways to work together to solve problems, such as dividing up household chores. When only one
parent is at home, it may be a struggle to find childcare, as there is only one parent working. This limits
income and opportunities in many cases, although many single parent families have support from
relatives and friends
3. Extended Family
- The extended family structure consists of two or more adults who are related, either by blood or
marriage, living in the same home. This family includes many relatives living together and working
toward common goals, such as raising the children and keeping up with the household duties. Many
extended families include cousins, aunts or uncles and grandparents living together. This type of family
structure may form due to financial difficulties or because older relatives are unable to care for
themselves alone. Extended families are becoming increasingly common all over the world.
4. Childless Family
- While most people think of family as including children, there are couples who either cannot or choose
not to have children. The childless family is sometimes the "forgotten family," as it does not meet the
traditional standards set by society. Childless families consist of two partners living and working
together. Many childless families take on the responsibility of pet ownership or have extensive contact
with their nieces and nephews.

5. Step Family
- Over half of all marriages end in divorce, and many of these individuals choose to get remarried. This
creates the step or blended family which involves two separate families merging into one new unit. It
consists of a new husband, wife, or spouse and their children from previous marriages or relationships.
Step families are about as common as the nuclear family, although they tend to have more problems,
such as adjustment periods and discipline issues. Step families need to learn to work together and also
work with their exes to ensure these family units run smoothly.

6. Grandparent Family
 - A grandparent family is when one or more grandparent is raising their grandchild or grandchildren. This
situation happens when the parents aren't around to take care of their kids or are incapable of properly
taking care of their kids.

 
IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY IN MODERN SOCIETY
Meets Basic Needs of Those Who Can’t Provide for Themselves
The basic social unit called the family is tasked with meeting the basic needs of those family members who
can’t provide for themselves as minors, very elderly, or disabled, or, can’t afford enough to live by themselves.
Basic needs such as food, water, shelter, and clean air are accessible when one or more member can provide
these things for the whole family.

A Feeling of Belonging
Many years ago, Abram Maslow created a diagram called the ‘Hierarchy of Needs.’ This hierarchy showed
which needs were most crucial to humans. The wide base of Malow’s pyramid diagram represented the basic
needs mentioned above, which must be met first. On the next level up are the Security needs followed by the
Love and Belonging needs. These needs are almost as essential as the basic needs. Fortunately, a healthy family
can efficiently provide them.

Financial Security
A well-functioning family provides financial security for everyone living in the household. First, family
members who can work contribute at least a part of their earnings to help the family meet everyone’s needs and
prosper. Second, the family combines resources to pay bills and manage their money to ensure that financial
necessities are always taken care of. Finally, the parents teach the children how to manage money and
resources, so they can continue to thrive when they move out on their own.

More Happiness and Satisfaction

Many people have found themselves with great news but no one to tell it to. That’s a problem one rarely has
when living in a family. Families plan vacations together, go to events as a group, enjoy quiet walks in the park,
or get involved in a family art project. Whatever they do together, a healthy family will find satisfaction or look
for a new way to spend their time together. People who are in healthy families have access to every day joys
that some people don’t have.

Parents Have More Incentive to Live a Healthy Life

People who have children living with them tend to live healthier. They eat healthier food, quit smoking, reduce
their drinking, quit using drugs, and may even stay more active. Why? To be a better role model for one thing,
but also because they want to live longer so they can see their children and grandchildren grow up.

Health Benefits for Children

Children enjoy a healthy lifestyle when they live in a healthy family. They have healthy meals, are encouraged
to get up and move, enjoy time outdoors, and get prompt medical attention when needed.

Parents of Children Live Longer

Research has shown that people who live with children in their family tend to live longer even after the children
have grown up and moved away.

The Family Offers Support for Family Members

Healthy families offer nearly every kind of support to each member – financial, social, emotional, and practical.
The importance of family as a foundation for stability and progress through continual backing can’t be
overstated.
Informed Voters
Talking around the dinner table, family members often share their political views. They may discuss the issues
in an upcoming election or the qualifications of a candidate. This inspires everyone to find out more about the
people and ideas involved so they can make an informed decision when it’s their turn to vote.

Provides Support When One of Them Is Ill

Facing medical problems alone can be a nightmare. Who is going help with transportation to doctor
appointments, to pick up medications, to the ER if necessary? One must work out all kinds of logistics when ill,
and at a time when physical and emotional resources are low. Family potentially helps solve all these problems
and can make sure that food, water, rest, and medical is provided. Society may not have to do anything to take
care of a person’s basic needs because a family has that covered.

In the Best Position to Notice and Support You Through Emotional Crises
Emotional problems and mental illness can be devastating to anyone. People lose their jobs, friends, and
financial resources if they must go through it alone. Being a part of a family means that not only will a person
receive support through the crisis, but the problem may also be caught early. People in families are much more
likely to notice symptoms of mental illness because they can easily see some early symptoms. This can make all
the difference to getting treatment and getting better.

Family Bonds Sustain the Family So They Can Offer Each Other Support
Families spend so much time and energy supporting each other through difficult times because of the bonds
they’ve created and nurtured since the time each of them became a part of the family. Even a newborn child
who has medical problems at birth is supported by their loving family because they have already accepted the
child as one of their own.

The Community Benefits from the Healthy Families in It

The community benefits when the family relieves it of the burden of supporting members of that family.
However, that isn’t the only way they benefit. Healthy families produce people who make positive contributions
to the community.

Community Involvement
Parents tend to get involved with their community more often than people living alone. What’s more, they teach
their children at a young age that the only way they can control what kind of community they have is to
contribute to it.

Community Giving
When parents contribute to their community by donating money or needed supplies, they model an attitude of
caring. They show their children that providing money, food, or supplies to the community helps support it so it
can serve everyone better.