Types of Family Structures

Julie Olsen Edwards (2009) outlines several traditional family structures. A 'Nuclear family' consists of a married man, woman, and their biological children. A 'Single parent family' involves either a father or mother solely responsible for a child's upbringing, whether by birth or adoption, due to choice or circumstances. An 'Extended family' includes grandparents, aunts, and uncles playing significant roles in children's upbringing, potentially living with them or acting as primary caregivers in addition to or instead of parents.

In the Philippines, several specific family structures are prevalent. 'Childless Family' refers to two-parent households who choose not to have children or are unable to, a growing trend differing from past norms. A 'Stepfamily' is formed when two separate families merge, such as divorced parents with children blending, or a divorced parent marrying someone without children. A 'Grandparent Family' occurs when grandparents raise their grandchildren, often due to the parents' absence, incapacity (e.g., incarceration, youth, addiction), or neglect.