nuclear family
a couple and their dependent children, regarded as a basic social unit.
extended family
a family that extends beyond the nuclear family, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives, who all live nearby or in one household.
patriarchy
a system of society or government in which the father or eldest male is head of the family and descent is traced through the male line.
matriarchy
a form of social organization in which descent and relationship are reckoned through the female line.
egalitarian
relating to or believing in the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities.
monogamy
the practice or state of being married to one person at a time.
polygamy
the practice or custom of having more than one wife or husband at the same time.
polyandry
polygamy in which a woman has more than one husband.
polygyny
polygamy in which a man has more than one wife.
incest taboo
cultural norm that prevents people from having a close relationship with a relative
marriage rate
The separation rate was 1.8% for males and 0.1% for females. African Americans have married the least of all of the predominant ethnic groups in the U.S. with a 29.9% marriage rate, but have the highest separation rate which is 4.5%.
divorce rate
They are also good for children; growing up in a happy home protects children from mental, physical, educational and social problems. However, about 40 to 50 percent of married couples in the United States divorce. The divorce rate for subsequent marriage
blended family
a family consisting of a couple and their children from this and all previous relationships.
adolescent
(of a young person) in the process of developing from a child into an adult.
cohabitation
the state of living together and having a sexual relationship without being married.
boomerang kid
a young adult who goes back to live with a parent after a period of independence.
sandwich generation
a generation of people, typically in their thirties or forties, responsible for bringing up their own children and for the care of their aging parents.