Nuclear family

nuclear family

n.

A family unit consisting of a mother and father and their progeny.

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Nuclear family

The basic family unit, consisting of father, mother, and their biological children.

Mentioned in: Family Therapy

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nuclear family,

n a family unit consisting of the biologic parents and their offspring. The nuclear family is less inclusive than the extended family. Although the nuclear family is a relatively recent product of Western society, it is threatened by the increasing dissolution of marriage.

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nuclear family Social medicine The core family unit, which typically consists of heterosexually-oriented ♂and ♀ partners and their direct–usually unmarried genetic progeny. Cf Companionship, Extended family, Marriage bonus, Most significant other, Social isolation. Cf Single-parent family.