Extended family

Definition

Extended family refers to a family structure that includes not just the nuclear family (parents and their children) but also other relatives such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. This type of family arrangement is significant in many cultures, including Korean society, where close ties among extended family members are valued and provide social support, shared responsibilities, and a sense of belonging.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In Korea, the extended family system has traditionally played a crucial role in providing emotional and financial support during significant life events like marriages, births, and funerals.
2. Extended families in Korea often live in close proximity to each other, which fosters strong intergenerational relationships and collective decision-making.
3. The cultural expectation of filial piety means that younger generations often take responsibility for the care of elderly relatives within the extended family structure.
4. In modern times, while nuclear families are becoming more common due to urbanization, the values associated with extended families still influence social norms in Korea.
5. Festivals and holidays are often occasions for extended families to gather, reinforcing their bonds and maintaining cultural traditions.

Review Questions

• How does the extended family structure in Korea influence individual family members' roles and responsibilities?
  • The extended family structure in Korea significantly influences individual roles by distributing responsibilities across multiple generations. Younger members are often expected to care for their elders, reflecting the cultural norm of filial piety. This shared responsibility allows for emotional support and collective decision-making within the family unit, creating a network that reinforces social values and familial obligations.
• Discuss the impact of urbanization on traditional extended family structures in Korea.
  • Urbanization has led to significant changes in traditional extended family structures in Korea. Many young people move to cities for education or jobs, resulting in smaller nuclear families that may be geographically distant from their extended relatives. While this shift can weaken familial ties, many still uphold the values of extended families by visiting during holidays and maintaining regular communication through technology, reflecting a blend of modernity and tradition.
• Evaluate the cultural significance of extended families in Korean society compared to Western notions of family structure.
  • Extended families hold a deep cultural significance in Korean society that contrasts with Western notions focused primarily on nuclear families. In Korea, the collective identity shaped by kinship bonds emphasizes interdependence and support across generations. This is supported by cultural values like filial piety, which stress duty towards one's elders. In contrast, Western cultures often prioritize individualism and self-sufficiency, leading to different expectations regarding familial obligations and support systems.

Related terms

nuclear family:

A family unit consisting of two parents and their children living together, often seen as the basic building block of society.

filial piety: A Confucian principle emphasizing respect and duty towards one's parents and ancestors, which is a fundamental value in Korean family relationships.

clan: A group of families with a common ancestor that share certain cultural practices and maintain strong kinship bonds, often found in Korean society.