The Evolution of the Modern Nuclear Family: Redefining Kinship Ties

Abstract

Sociology of the family There are different sociologies of families and people tend to argue that family is basically blood. A family, in a wider understanding could be termed as descendants of a common ancestor. These family members could be living together or separately, and some could be even be strangers to one another. However, with social interactions, and civilization, the definitions of family has changed over time whereby adopted children and fictive kins have contemporary been considered to be family. This essay aims at discussing a nuclear family comprising of the father, mother and two children, a son and a daughter, one biological and another adopted. A nuclear family could be described as a social unit consisting of a father, mother and their children. In the nuclear family, the father is considered as the head of the family with roles like giving security and financial sustenance. The father is the caretaker and the breadwinner who is at the top of the hierarchy and is considered to be one who gives orders and authority. On the other hand, the mother is considered the deputy of the family who stands in for the father in instances where the father is unavailable or practically indisposed. The mother’s roles are related to economic needs of the matriarchal society. Because she is considered as the one who cooks for the children, she tends to be closer to the kids than the father and in this case, she is usually considered the pivot of the family. Children in the nuclear family are usually considered to be the seeds or the fruits of the union between the two adult, who usually are the father and the mother. The children are in the custody of the parents and their needs are usually catered for by their parents. Interestingly, nuclear family could be big or small, depending on the number of members. Their duties, responsibilities and roles are in most cases, gender based. Female off springs are usually expected to learn from their mothers and help their mothers do what is usually considered...