What Kind of Family Is Better? Nuclear or Joint? Let’s Find Out the Psychology Behind the Structure

Family is defined in multiple ways in the dictionary. A single meaning is "a fundamental social group typically consisting of one or two parents and their children." Although this definition is a good place to start, it leaves out several contemporary family structures, including childless couples, families consisting of friends, and numerous other forms of family units.

Compare the Dynamics of Nuclear and Joint Families to Understand Their Impact on Relationships, Support Systems, and Overall Well-Being

Given that everyone's definition of "family" is different, it is one of the terms in the English language with the fewest definitions. Some people define family as their immediate family, while others define family as their extended family, regardless of how far away they live.


Others, however, consider their cherished group of friends or their animals to be family. Despite their great differences, all families operate on the same principle: shared love and commitment.


Meaning of Nuclear Family


The husband, wife, and any children they have not yet married off make up a nuclear family. Children depart from their parent's house shortly after marriage and start their household. Thus, independent from the authority of the elders, a nuclear family is a unit. Minimum interdependence exists between parents and their married children because of their physical separation.


Advantages of Nuclear Family


  • Parenting as a couple- It is simpler for a couple to co-parent and develop their distinctive parenting strategies. They respect each other's contributions and ask for advice when needed.


  • Women with confidence- Women in nuclear families are frequently employed, enabling them to be financially independent and more assertive regarding family matters. When it comes to taking care of her family's needs and her home, she becomes an important decision-maker.


  • Greater independence and privacy- For married couples who work together, having the opportunity to catch up over dinner is very important. Couples can communicate, spend time together, and provide support to each other when they have privacy. 


Couples in the contemporary nuclear family structure have more freedom to communicate what they expect from one another. Additionally, couples have more freedom to make decisions jointly and with their kids when they live in a nuclear family.


  • Interdependence and shared responsibilities- Parents are free to choose how to divide up household duties.  Together, you can strengthen your relationship, offer support, and take an equal part in family affairs by doing activities and chores. Everyone in the family gains a sense of accountability and an appreciation for their mutual dependence.


Meaning of Joint Family


A kind of extended family that consists of parents, their kids, and the kids' spouses and kids living in the same home. It is more often to be seen in India that people are living with their family.

It is an Indian tradition that has shown to the world that an individual can freely live with his/her family and can independently do his own business.


Advantages of Joint Family


  • Stable Finance- If your family is joint, every working member will help you with household budgeting. As a result, you are only able to make part of the payments. This system serves as a safety precaution as well. If a family member is losing money, other family members will help.


  • Support System- The shared family arrangement will be advantageous for working parents. Someone you can trust will always be in your home. They'll take good care of your kids. Parents, aunts, and uncles will all look after your child. You don't have to be concerned about their safety as a result. As a result, parents will have more freedom. 


  • Values and Bonds- If you live in a combined family, your children will naturally pick up family values. They will also learn to respect everyone and acquire important morals like generosity and compassion. It helps to enhance the relations between the members.


  • No Space for Loneliness- A single-family unit is best for children. You can leave your child's needs behind and focus on your work. You and your family will feed him. They'll also take good care of them. Your child can play with his cousins as well. As a result, he won't ever feel as alone in your house. He will always have friends.


Nuclear Family vs Joint Family


Each participant has a concern for a specific person. Mutual love and respect for one another are possible in a nuclear family. It conveys the love between siblings and parents. Conflicts: When cohabiting individuals have common values, there is a possibility of disagreements or conflicts.


Even with minor decisions, everyone views things differently. Arguments are less common in nuclear families. Fewer family members are simpler to persuade. Effect on Children- It can be challenging to manage children when both parents work.


Children have a lot of support and guidance from their grandparents, uncles, and aunts in the joint family, which functions like a pro. In summary, Every family structure is different in some way. The world's oldest and most traditional family structure is the joint family. 


However, there has been an erratic increase in the nuclear family's adaption in recent years. However, it varies from person to person; some may find comfort and privacy in a joint family as well.


Researcher’s Opinion


In a joint family, the work is divided, so the men in the joint family have less work to do than the men in the nuclear family. Compared to women in nuclear families, joint-family women have more work to do because their family size increases along with the number of members.


The data clearly shows that the male and female members of the nuclear family have worse health than the male and female members of the joint family.  In his research, Dr. Haider 14 demonstrated that while the joint family system is a contributing factor to depression, it is not the only one that leads to the onset of depressive illness.


In contrast to joint families where elders impose restrictions, alcohol consumption is more common among males in nuclear families because of their greater freedom. 


Conclusion


Compared to those in joint families, members of nuclear families generally had worse health conditions. Individuals belonging to nuclear families and those in joint families had significant workloads.  In nuclear families, there was greater awareness of maternal care, freedom of children, and factors related to lifestyle (such as alcohol and smoking), but there was also less domestic violence and more freedom among family members.  


Written By- Archi Goldi


(This article has been authored exclusively by the writer and is being presented on Eat My News, which serves as a platform for the community to voice their perspectives. As an entity, Eat My News cannot be held liable for the content or its accuracy. The views expressed in this article solely pertain to the author or writer. For further queries about the article or its content, you can contact this email address - archigoldi17@gmail.com )



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