Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข 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.