The Family in Transition

The family is the most fundamental social institution, yet its definition varies across cultures and historical periods. The nuclear family (two parents and children) became the cultural ideal in mid-20th century Western societies, but globally and historically, extended families, multigenerational households, and chosen families have been equally common. Today, family structures include single-parent households (23% of U.S. children), blended families, cohabiting couples, same-sex parent families, grandparent-headed households, and childless couples. Sociologists resist defining any structure as 'the' family, instead analyzing how different arrangements fulfill — or fail to fulfill — the social functions associated with family life.