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F
amily portraits in America have transformed significantly from a stiff,
formal black-and-white image to colorful digital images capturing candid, joyous and sometimes chaotic moments in life. The U.S. Census Bureau defines family
as “two or more people related by birth, marriage or adoption residing in the same housing unit,” but the concept of family is much more complex. Families give children a sense of purpose, identity and belonging. Family structure is complex. There are
many types of family structures currently identified in society, but many of these categories overlap.
* Nuclear family: considered a traditional type of two-parent structure
with children. Approximately 70 percent of U.S. children live in a nuclear family unit. There are many variations in the nuclear family including adoption, unwed partners and same-sex marriages and partnerships.
* Single-parent family: one parent raising one or more kids alone.
* Extended family: two or more adults, either related by blood or mar-
riage. This may include grandparents, cousins or adult children living in the home.
* Stepfamily or blended family: two partners living together with kids
from previous marriages or relationships.
* Grandparents: Grandparents for a variety of reasons are raising 1 in 14 children in the U.S. Different family structures present dif-
ferent challenges. Single-parent families tend to be relationally close and good at working together to solve problems but can face hardships such as coping with the loss of a parent through death or
divorce, adjusting to new circumstances, time and financial constraints, parental fatigue and trying to fill the gap of an absent parent.
Extended families have a proverbial village at their fingertips, which can help with childcare and positive support but can also provide more opportunity for conflict, role confusion and power struggles. Blended families can bring the positive energy of new beginnings but also present challenges in dealing with ex-partners, creating new traditions, forg- ing new sibling relationships and getting used to a new way of normal. Same-sex families can experience discrimination, social exclusion and legal challenges related to health and insurance benefits. The quality of interpersonal relation- ships in the family is more important than the family structure. Although families are structured very
differently, research shows there are universal characteristics that can be cul- tivated in any family to promote a healthy environment in which kids can thrive.
* Communication
Healthy families engage in respectful and meaningful conversation. Family mem- bers should be able to share feelings, thoughts, fears and experiences freely, without fear of rejection. The goal should be to problem-solve by talking through a situation in a positive, receptive manner.
* Commitment
Healthy families keep family as a top priority and consider impact on the family as a unit when making important decisions. Kids fare well emotionally when they know they can count on their family for encouragement and support.
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