Which family structure is most characterized by including extended relatives beyond the nuclear unit?

• A. Nuclear family
• B. Binuclear family
• C. Blended family
• D. Extended family

Answer: (D)

Extended family includes relatives beyond the nuclear unit, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, who may live together or nearby. This broader kin network provides additional social, emotional, and practical support for the child and family, which is the hallmark of this structure.

In contrast, a nuclear family centers on just the parents and their dependent children; a binuclear family involves two separate households after parental separation or divorce; and a blended family forms when two families combine through remarriage, bringing together step-relatives. The presence and involvement of extended kin beyond the immediate parents and children is what sets extended families apart.