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(y)o̅o̅′kle·ər]

Etymology: L, nucleus, nut kernel, familia, household

a family unit consisting of the biologic parents and their offspring. The nuclear family is a relatively recent product of Western society. The nuclear family unit is less efficient than an extended family unit in providing information and vital services to family members, such as child rearing, child care, and care of older family members. Compare extended family, matrifocal family.

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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.