WHAT IS A FAMILY?

In Western lands, most families consist of a father, a mother, and children. Grandparents may live in their own households as long as they can.  While contact is kept up with more-distant relatives, duties toward these are limited.  Basically, this is the family that we will discuss in this book.  However, other families have become increasingly common in recent years-the single-parent  family, the step-family, and the family whose parents are not living together for one reason or another. 

Common in some cultures is the extended family.  In this arrangement, if possible, grandparents are routinely looked after by their children, and close ties and responsibilities extend to distant relatives.  For instance, family member may help to support, raise, and even pay for the education of their nieces, nephews, or more-distant relatives.  The principles to be discussed in this publication apply also to extended families. 

Next time: THE FAMILY  UNDER STRESS

From the book:  THE SECRET OF FAMILY HAPPINESS; 1996