What different types of family exist in the UK and around the world?
The definitions of family and household, the main family types in the UK including nuclear, extended, reconstituted, lone parent, same sex, cohabiting and beanpole families, and family diversity within a global context.
A focused answer on family types and diversity for WJEC GCSE Sociology: the definitions of family and household, nuclear, extended, reconstituted, lone parent, same sex, cohabiting and beanpole families, and global family forms.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
Have a quick question? Jump to the Q&A page
Jump to a section
What this dot point is asking
This dot point covers the definitions of family and household and the diversity of family forms. You need to define family and household precisely, describe the main family types in the UK (nuclear, extended, reconstituted, lone parent, same sex, cohabiting and beanpole), and show that there is great family diversity both in the UK and in a global context. The key idea is that there is no single "normal" family: family forms vary and have changed.
Family and household
The main UK family types
Family diversity in a global context
Try this
Q1. Define a "reconstituted family". [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. A reconstituted family, or step family, is formed when two adults form a new partnership and bring together children from their previous relationships.
Q2. Explain what is meant by family diversity. [Short explanation]
- Cue. Family diversity means that many different family types exist rather than a single normal form, including nuclear, extended, reconstituted, lone parent, same sex, cohabiting and beanpole families in the UK, and even more varied forms globally.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
WJEC (Component 1)2 marksExplain the difference between a family and a household.Show worked answer →
A short knowledge question (AO1). Reward a clear contrast.
Family. A family is a group of people related by blood, marriage or adoption.
Household. A household is one person, or a group of people, living together at the same address, who need not be related.
Top marks. A clear definition of each, showing that a household need not be a family.
WJEC (Component 1)4 marksDescribe two types of family found in the UK today.Show worked answer →
A describe question (AO1). Reward two distinct, accurately described types.
Nuclear family. Two parents and their dependent children living together, once seen as the typical family.
Lone parent family. One parent living with their dependent children, a type that has grown in recent decades.
Top band. Two clearly different types, each described accurately with a defining feature.
Related dot points
- The functions the family performs for individuals and society, and the contrasting functionalist, Marxist and feminist perspectives on the role of the family.
A focused answer on the functions of the family and sociological perspectives for WJEC GCSE Sociology: what the family does for society, and the functionalist, Marxist and feminist views of the family.
- The changing patterns of family life in the UK: falling marriage and rising cohabitation, rising divorce and the reasons for it, and the growth of lone parent and reconstituted families.
A focused answer on changing family patterns for WJEC GCSE Sociology: falling marriage, rising cohabitation, rising divorce and its causes, and the growth of lone parent and reconstituted families.
- The changing roles and relationships within the family: conjugal roles and the domestic division of labour, whether roles are becoming more equal, and the changing position of children and family leisure time.
A focused answer on roles and relationships in the family for WJEC GCSE Sociology: conjugal roles, the domestic division of labour, whether roles are becoming more equal, and the changing position of children.
- The process of socialisation: primary socialisation in the family and secondary socialisation through the agencies of education, peer group, media, religion and the workplace, and how each transmits norms and values.
A focused answer on socialisation for WJEC GCSE Sociology: primary socialisation in the family and secondary socialisation through education, peers, media, religion and the workplace, and the agencies that transmit culture.
Sources & how we know this
- WJEC GCSE Sociology (Wales) specification (C200QS) — WJEC (2017)