REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

COLLEGE OF INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION
HOME ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT
Manila

HE 1E Integrated Home Economics (Lecture)

Various Family Structures
Name: Castillo, Miguel Arcangel C. Prof. Ana Marie A. Sergio
Course: BTVTED – Computer Programming HE1E-M (Lecture)

Family Structures
In today’s generation, many individuals specifically the young ones are confused with the family structures
that they had. Family structures has changed dramatically over the last 50 years that’s why it’s evident that children’s
living arrangements are diverse. Family will be always defined as an obligation that group members have to one
another. Family members always live together but as time goes by, it’s not always the same and the case.

Family Structures in the Philippines

Today in a typical Filipino Family Structures, we’re having the Patrifocal/Matrifocal and Nuclear Structure
because we adapted these type of structure during the Spanish and American era wherein an individual (child) may
grow with the family of either the mother or the father. In todays setup, it’s not applicable because we can conclude
that a child must always live together with their partner in the father’s own family or side for them to show that they’re
being supported in life.

Various Family Structures

1. Nuclear Family
- This is the traditional type of family structure. This family structure is a common type in a family
scenario as this consists of two parents and their offspring. It’s ideal for the society to see this
structure as this shows a completeness towards the growth of the children. Children in nuclear
families receives strength and stability from the two parents.
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2. Extended Family
- The most common type of family structure. Extended families consist of two or more adults who
are related, either by blood or marriage and living in the same home. This includes the relatives
living and working together toward common goals. Many extended families include their cousins,
uncle and aunty, god parents and grandparents. This structure occurs due to financial difficulties
that’s why the relatives are the one who sometimes supports.

3. Blended Family
- The adjusting type of family structure. A blended family or stepfamily forms when the two parents
or partner decided to make a new life together with the children from one or both of your previous.
Many families undergo this scenario wherein they undergo in a settlement or agreement on where
does the child will stay.

4. Matrilocal/Patrilocal Family
- The 2 – side type of family structure. This type of family structure is when a partner and child is
living or staying with the mother’s family/side is what we call Matrilocal. While if the wife and their
child is staying in the household of the husband and living together with them is what we called as
Patrilocal. Sometimes it’s best for them to live either in the father or mother’s family side as this will
help them to guide them even more.

5. Childless Family
- The partner – only side of family structure. Sometimes referred as the “Forgotten Family” as it does
not meet the traditional standards set by society. Childless family consists of two partners living
and working together. Most people think that if we say family then they must have a child but it’s
not always the same case but they’re still a family even if they don’t have a child.

6. Single – Parent Family

- The one – sided family structure. This family structure consists of one parent raising one or more
children on his own. This family may include a single mother with her children, a single dad with his
 kids or a single person with their kids. This structure is really a struggle because only one parent
will do the tasks while taking care of the child.

7. Family of Choice
- The chosen one family structure. It refers as the ‘chosen one or found family’ and this is an
individual or group of veterans who chooses to be with someone else. They also don’t have little or
no contact with their biological parents. Mostly of the teenagers wants to be with their friends as
they treat their friends like their own family, and they chose to be with them for the rest of their
lives.

8. Polygyny Family
- The many to mention family structure. This is a structure wherein the father or husband has been
married to multiple wives at the same time. This is a common practice or tradition in connection
with their religion. This usually occurs in Muslim countries and we can’t blame if they have multiple
wives since it’s normal for them to have this because it’s their practice, culture and tradition.
References
1. The Family and Family Structure Classification Redefined for the Current Times (nih.gov)
2. Types of Family Structures | LoveToKnow
3. Types of Families | Cultural Anthropology (lumenlearning.com)
4. Family of choice – Wikipedia
5. Residence Patterns | Cultural Anthropology (lumenlearning.com)
6. Many family structures 8.10 (Read-Only) (scoe.org)
7. There Are 6 Different Family Types And Each One Has A Unique Family Dynamic | Betterhelp