Posted by Chester Morton / Wednesday 30 January 2019 / No comments
The advantages and disadvantages of the nuclear family system
ADVANTAGES OF AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE NUCLEAR FAMILY SYSTEM
Definition of a nuclear family
The composition of a nuclear family is confined only to the
father, mother and the children of the couple. In some cases, though, children
could be adopted and incorporated into the biological children of the couple.
In some cases, a nuclear family can also be called the conjugal family. At
other times, it could be called the natural family or the primary. It could also
be called by other names such as an elementary family or conjugal family. The
nuclear family system can further be compartmentalized into a family of
orientation and the family into which an individual is born and raised.
THE ADVANTAGES OF A NUCLEAR FAMILY
Reduces the responsibility of couples
One of the advantages of a nuclear family system is that
there is a drastically reduced responsibility on the father and the mother.
Unlike the extended family system where
other cousins, uncles, and aunties, to mention a few requirements to be catered for
by one or two people in the family, the nuclear family system restricts itself
to the care of only the immediate members such as the wife and children.
Decision-making
Another advantage of the nuclear family system is that it
allows for decisions to be arrived at more easily and quickly. The two major
players in the taking of any decision are the man and his wife. The opinions of
the children may be sought in some cases but ultimately, the decision is for
the parents. Since there are only two of them it is easy and quicker to decide.
Other members of the extended family are not allowed to have a say in what is
decided in the homes of the nuclear family so decision making is quicker.
Parents are free to train their children
It is also an advantage of the nuclear family system that the
parents have a free hand in the upbringing of their own children without undue
interference from the members of the extended family. Parents are properly able
to control their children and direct such children in the way they think would
be beneficial to them. Counter-command and instructions that may emanate from
other members of the extended family are drastically reduced, allowing the
parents to effectively impact their children to fit into the larger society.
Sharing inheritance is less problematic
In a nuclear family, after the death of one spouse, it is
easy to share the properties of the deceased among the survivors. This is so
because the only people to inherit the properties of the deceased are the
surviving spouse and the children if there were any. As is obvious, there is
no extended family member to wrestle with any nuclear family member for the
possession of the deceased’s properties. This way, the usual confrontation
among members of the family when death occurs, is completely eliminated.
DISADVANTAGES OF NUCLEAR FAMILY
Parents become lonely in old-age
One disadvantage of the nuclear family system is that the
parents may become very lonely when they become older. This is the time when
all the children become older, get married or move on with their life’s
passions. In some cases, the children may neglect the needs of their parents,
rather concentrating on the needs of their own children. The support system
that is common with the extended family is absent. It may become worst when one
of the spouses dies leaving the other.
Absence of external support
In a nuclear family system, the children are not privileged
to have the support of their uncles, aunts, grandparents and other members of
the extended family. This happens because they are shielded from having adequate
contact with the extended family by their own parents and are therefore not
able to build any meaningful and lasting rapport with the extended family. For
this reason, when an unforeseen situation happen in their lives and they need
any member of the extended family to guide them about what to do, such people
backpedal leaving the children to sort out their own issues.
Offers little or no security
The members of a nuclear family are not secured in the
absence of members of the extended family. The major breadwinner of a nuclear
family may lose his or her job and may, therefore, be able to provide the
financial support that he or she usually provided. In worse case scenarios, the
breadwinner may die and the surviving spouse may not be able to continue
providing the kind of lifestyle they are used to. In such situations, the
members of the extended family are unwilling to step in as would have been the
case if it was an extended family system. Such children may drop out of school
and even sometimes become wayward.
Inability to transfer traditional values
In a nuclear family, only the parents are present to do the
socialization of the children. In some cases, it is the school teachers who
socialize the children. In a situation like this, the children are not able to
imbibe the norms and values of the community where they come from. The
transmission of the culture and values of the tribe where they come from is
affected. The children become strangers among their own kinsmen.
Loneliness and boredom
The couple may suffer loneliness and boredom when no children
are born into the family. Though the couple can cope with loneliness by giving
emotional support to each other, this is not always so when they grow old. They
may not be able to manage their needs when there are no children lending
support from time to time. In Africa where the concept of “Home for the aged”
is not popular, the support mechanism for such nuclear families may be
inadequate.
Problems with discipline
Last but not least, the children of a nuclear family may have
problems with discipline. Especially in middle-class families where both
parents are busy working and building their careers, they may not be able to
create enough time to be with their children and offer the necessary guideline
and discipline that the children require. Children from nuclear families may
have a tendency to become wayward.
SAMPLE QUESTION(S)
1. a. Define family
b. Explain four advantages and four disadvantages of a nuclear family
