Types of Family Structures

Family structures come in various shapes and sizes, but each one is just as valid as the next. Understanding family structure can better help to figure out the dynamics of relatives and how to make relationships developmentally appropriate. 

Common Family Types

Family types have changed over the years in accordance with shifts in modern cultures’ acceptance of structural changes. Love To Know explains that six types of family structures are considered common. It’s important to note that this article emphasizes that no one type of family structure is superior to another. These structures include: 

• Nuclear families
• Single-parent families
• Extended families
• Childless families
• Stepfamilies
• Grandparent families

More detailed descriptions of these family structures are available on the Love to Know website.

Changes in Family Structure

As evidenced by the different types above, trends in family structures have changed in different ways over the years. One of these large changes has become the retreat of marriage and the shift towards cohabitation between partners (Lundberg & Sterns, 2016). Again, the research does not put this family above or below others, but some effects are unavoidable and are being studied. With this, here are some resources on ways to increase success in cohabiting with a partner:

• 6 Way to Cohabit Peacefully With Your Partner, relate.org
• Tips for Unmarried Parents Who Want to Raise Children Together, FindLaw