One of the most common types of family is the extended or extended family. Do you know how it is defined and how it is formed? Find out in this article.
- Definition of extended family or extended family
- How is the extended family composed?
- Extended family: advantages for family union
- Other types of family or family structures
- With what type of family do you identify yours?
There is no single concept of extended family, in fact, its meaning is closely related to what in each society is considered to be an extended family. What is clear is that it is a structure that exceeds that of the nuclear family.
Read also: What is a syndiasmic family
Definition of extended family or extended family
The extended family, also called extended families, has at least three different meanings or definitions.
- The term “extended family” is used as a synonym for consanguineous family .
- It refers to a kinship network that has an extension that transcends the nuclear or primary family group (father, mother, siblings).
- It is characterized by being a kinship structure that lives in the same place and is made up of parental members of different generations.
Read also: The structure of the family
How is the extended family composed?
There are many types of family and each has its own characteristics in terms of members, parental relationships, consanguineous ties, etc. These are those of the extended family .
- In this type of family there is a network of like-minded people, which has a participation as a closed community.
- Includes parents, children, siblings of parents with their own children, grandparents, great-uncles, great-grandparents (ascending generations)
- It can include non-blood relatives such as half siblings, adopted or putative children.
Extended family: advantages for family union
There are cultures in which the extended family is a basic form of family unit . There it happens that when a person transits his development towards adulthood there is not necessarily a separation from his parents or relatives.
As the person grows, the person becomes part of the broader areas of adults without separating from the community. In other words, he continues to live in the same house or territory, shares family norms, participates in common activities, etc.