The negative effects of the nuclear family are well-documented, ranging from isolation and emotional dependence to marriage breakdown and juvenile delinquency. In the United States, children of divorce are often left in poverty, while 500 children a year are killed by their parents and millions more are abused or neglected. However, sociologist Vern Bengtson predicted that multigenerational ties would be on the rise in the 21st century, and the nuclear family is not necessarily the default human norm. Historically, extended families have been the real fault, with multiple generations living together and sharing the burdens, pains and joys of domestic life. The nuclear family only became widespread after the Industrial Revolution, when a centralized factory-based economy made it economically advantageous.
Extended families also have a socializing strength, with several adults teaching children good and evil, how to behave with others, and how to be kind. Today's nuclear families are more connected to other nuclear families than ever before, forming a “modified extended family” as sociologist Eugene Litwak calls it. This coalition of nuclear families is in a state of mutual dependence, providing support and resources for one another. Ultimately, it is up to each individual family to decide what works best for them. While there are certainly risks associated with the nuclear family model, it can also be beneficial in certain circumstances. It is important to remember that no family structure is perfect and that each has its own unique advantages and disadvantages.
