Which family structure is defined as consisting of one man, one woman, and their children?

The nuclear family is characterized by a family unit consisting of two parents—a man and a woman—along with their biological or adopted children living together. This structure typically emphasizes immediate family relationships, concentrating on the parental roles alongside the children, which is distinct from other family configurations.

In contrast to the nuclear family, the extended family includes additional relatives outside the immediate family unit, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. A blended family consists of parents who bring children from previous relationships into a new family unit, which can involve stepparents and step-siblings. A single-parent family is formed when one parent raises their children without the other parent present. Understanding the definitions and characteristics of these family structures helps to clarify the distinct aspects of the nuclear family model.