Which family structure includes one man, one woman, and their children?

The nuclear family is defined as a family group consisting of two parents, typically a man and a woman, along with their children. This structure is distinct from others as it emphasizes the immediate familial bond, which includes parents and their biological or adopted children living together as a unit.

This concept highlights the primary social structure for many societies, where the nuclear family is often considered the fundamental building block of social organization. In contrast, other family types, such as a family of origin, typically refers to the family into which one is born or raised, rather than the immediate family unit defined by current parents and their offspring. A single-parent family consists of one parent raising children, which deviates from the definition of a nuclear family. An extended family includes additional relatives beyond the immediate family, such as grandparents or aunts and uncles, which further distinguishes it from the nuclear family concept.