Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A nuclear family refers to a family unit consisting of parents and their children, typically living together in the same household.
Related terms
Extended families: Refers to relatives beyond the immediate nuclear family, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Single parent families: Describes households where one parent is responsible for raising the child or children without the presence or support of another parent.
Blended families: Refers to families formed when two separate families merge into one through marriage or partnership.