There are several types of families including nuclear, extended, single parent, childless, stepfamily, and grandparent family (Fallesen & Gáhler, 2020). This paper will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear, single, and childless families.
Nuclear Family
The nuclear family is perceived as the best and mostly preferred form of family setting in the society. A nuclear family constitutes of the father, mother, and children. This form of family setting possesses key advantages such as reduced conflicts, development of personal responsibilities, caring for one another, sharing of (limited) resources, and recognition of different roles for different genders in the society (Lodhi et al., 2021). A nuclear family has a better tendency of building an all-rounded member of the society. A nuclear family has the capacity to develop into an extended family which includes grandparents, brothers and sisters and their families, among other relatives.
The key disadvantages of a nuclear family comprise of building of emotional dependency relationship between the parent and the children (Lodhi et al., 2021). The children tend to be more reliant on their parents (husband and wife) which may result in emotional isolation should the presence of either be lacking.
Single Parent Family
The most profound advantage of a single parent family entails the existence of fewer arguments. This makes the environment in which the child grows healthy and conducive as compared to a nuclear family with intensive marital conflicts (Mikkonen et al., 2016).
The most common disadvantages of a single parent family include difficulties accepting and building new relationships, low income to fully sustain the family, deficiency of attachment to the opposite gender, negativity in life, among others (Morosow & Jaloyaara, 2019).
Childless Family
A childless leaves sufficient room for the married couple to pursue their dreams and personal goals without the interference of another human being to care for or tender to their needs. This makes life less controlling and dependent on others (Albertini & Arpino, 2018).
However, extensive disadvantages exist in the aspect of feeling incomplete without a child. Anxieties of potential health problems and possibility of depression for lack of personal commitment to someone in life.
