Question

Define the concept of the Nuclear family and elaborate on how it became the norm, even though, statistically speaking, it is no longer the norm. Clearly explain other forms of family that have emerged, as well what are the social causes for their emergence?

Answer 1

Nuclear faamily is usually of four, or just the family of parents and their children. Grandparents or other family members like uncle, auntty etc are not there. I would elaborate what I get to see in India. Nuclear families have emerged in cities around 1980s in India, due to urban and industrial opportunities many youth came to city and got settled. Due to financial constraints they were able to afford only small house and less expenses, which could involve their wife and children. Therefafter it became convinient as grandparents were not involved in the parent's life. The houses, apartments were small which lead to the norm of uclear families.

Now-a-days forms such as single parent, couples prefering no children, step-family, or grand parents family are evolved. Single parent may be due to differences in opinions between the couple, since a s child in 1980s the children have got more liberty and are not ready to compromise or may be due to some other situations such as death of spuse, not willing to marry but adopting a child.

Step-family is also known as patch work family, where a couple marries second time but children of the couple are along with the parents. Step family may be also due to the reasons such as divorce, death of spouse etc.

Grandparents family - Here the children are raised by the grandparents. The reasons may be the parents working for career prospects, death etc.