What social structure is typically characterized by one mother and one father?

The correct answer is characterized by a family unit consisting of two parents, typically recognized as a mother and a father, living together with their children. This configuration, known as the nuclear family, is a fundamental social structure that plays a critical role in child-rearing and the socialization process.

In contrast to other family types, an extended family includes additional relatives beyond the immediate parents and children, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, living together or in close proximity. A modified family structure may incorporate elements of blended families, where stepfamilies or various household arrangements exist, but does not specifically denote a mother and father unit. A single-parent family comprises one parent raising children, often due to divorce, separation, or choice, which does not reflect the two-parent dynamic inherent in a nuclear family.

The nuclear family is often viewed as a traditional family structure, emphasizing the partnership of both parents in managing the household and supporting the upbringing of their offspring, thus establishing the foundational social unit in many cultures.