Navigating Family Dynamics: Exploring Types, Patterns, and Terminology

Abstract

Family terms Types of families: Family of orientation-The family into which a person is born and raised. Family of procreation-The family that you create (marry, have an intimate relationship, have children). Nuclear family-a family consisting of a mother, father and siblings. Extended family-Relatives include grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. Fictive kin-A person that you are not related to by blood or marriage that you may view as a family member. Ex. ‘Aunt’ Mary Single Parent-Household run by one parent. Blended family (stepfamily)- A family that is the result of the remarriage of a divorced/widowed person who may have children from a previous relationship. The children may live with the remarried couple. Marriage Patterns: Monogamy-involves one person in an intimate relationship with one other person. Polygamy- An umbrella term used to describe on person married to multiple people of the opposite sex. Polygyny-A man married to multiple women at the same time. Polyandry-A woman married to multiple men at the same time. Serial monogamy-a person is married multiple times but each prior relationship has ended in death/divorce. (ex. Sam has been married three times) Endogamy-marrying within your group. (ex. race, ethnicity, religion) Exogamy-Marrying outside of your group (ex. race, ethnicity, religion) Other terms: Homogamy—the attraction of people who are similar to one another in terms of race, ethnicity, social class.. Hypogamy-Marrying downward in social status. (can also be used to refer to dating) Hypergamy-Marrying upward in social status. (can also be used to refer to dating) Propinquity—Proximity in terms of time and place –can influence mate selection. For example, Mary met John at work, or Robert and Maria had mutual friends.