Forms of Family System
Following the main forms of family system vary from society to society.
Conjugal & Nuclear Family
In Conjugal family system the married couple and their children are living together is the same house. It means that the nuclear family consists of the (1) Married parents and (2) Unmarried children. Husband and wife have equal power and having control over their children and play better role is their socialization. They enjoy their life and share their activities. It is in practice in Pakistan, western countries and industrialized areas.
Advantages of nuclear family system
- Economic advantage.
- Socialization of children.
- Money saving
- Common activities.
Disadvantages of nuclear family system
- Lack of man power.
- Lack of economic support.
- Burden of work.
Joint Family System
The members of joint family system are related on the basis of marriage as well as blood relation. It consists of husband, wife, married children and a group of blood relatives. In this family a child after marriage does not want to separate from his parents and want to live with then under the same roof. All the members of this family share their property, have common kitchen and common is come and expenditure and had a head which control the activities of the members. These qualities distinguish the family from extended family. In such families the mother and aunts are usually alike and every member is responsible for the socialization of children. (Pak-India-Bangladeshi-Afghanistan)
Advantages of Joint Family System
- Division of labor
- Better economic position
- Share land
- Socialization
- Social insurance
Disadvantages of joint Family system
- Home of idlers
- Lack of detachment
- Bed personality development
- No specific control over children
Consanguine Family
The consanguine family system is based on the blood relationship of husband and wife relatives. This type of family is an extended clan of blood relatives with their children living together is the same house. It is based on biological relationship among then. It is a large group is which siblings (Brothers + Sisters living together along with their children. Examples of such type of family is found mostly is Pakistan but it is also is practice in Nayar, and Tory islands.
Extended Family
Extended family system is the combination of nuclear and consanguine family. It is based on conjugal as well as blood relations. This family system consists of three generations.
- The Parents
- Married Children and
- Their Children
This family consists of husband, wife, their married children and their grandsons and granddaughters, aunts, cousins, nephews, uncles etc. This family is the combination of two or more nuclear families and may include monogamous, polyandrous and polygynous families. In this system of family people related by blood relation living together but everyone have their separate kitchen, Separate income system and expenditures. Example of joint family system are is Pakistan, Afghanistan and India.
Matrifocal Family System
It consists of a mother with her children and no husband. It is also called maternal family or mother child unit. In this case when a person dies, or divorce his wife or marry with another woman and lives with her and children. There are some examples of matrifocal family system can be found in West Indies, North America Malabar, Bangladesh Afghanistan and some areas of Pakistan.
Stem Family
Here one child younger or elder start living with his her parents. In other words a single child wants to live with parents even after marriage and all the others must leave the home. So, this type of family consists of husband, wife, son or daughter with spouse and their children. This type of marriage is found is Pakistan from place to place.
Patriarchal Family System
The descent line is recorded to the name of male or father. The whole family goes to the name of father or grandfather.
Matrilineal Family
The descent line goes to the name of female member or mother or grandmother.
Bilineal Family
Here line of descent goes through both sides e.g; from male as well as from female.
Patriarchal Family
Patriarchal family I that type of family is which father is considered as the dominant and powerful authority. This type of family is in practice is Pakistan, India, America, etc.
Matriarchal Family
In matriarchal family mother or any other female is the supreme authority for family control and rules implementation. It is also found is America, Malabar and some areas of Pakistan.
Equalitarian Family
Father and mother have the authority to control the family. They both are the dominant personalities.
