Multigenerational family: pros and cons

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Throughout a person's life, the issue of the relationship between different generations has been one of the key ones. Families are subdivided according to various typological features, depending on the estimated parameters. Let's get acquainted with some types of family classification and consider what a multigenerational family is.

Typology

There are many ways to classify families. The assessment takes place depending on many parameters: the distribution of power, the number of children, the form of marriage, relative to the place of residence, as well as the general structural structure. Among the main types of classification, the following types of families are distinguished: multigenerational and nuclear.

Simple (nuclear) family

Nuclear family - a family of simple structure, which includes two generations. In the modern world, this type is most common. In such cells of society there can be either one or many children. Relationships are formed directly between parents and children. Situations often arise wherethe absence of one of the spouses. In such a case, such a family circle is classified as incomplete.

Complex (multi-generational) family

There is also such a thing as a complex or multigenerational system of family ties. The main difference of this type from others is that there are strong intra-family relations between different generations. A multigenerational family is a family consisting of three or more generations of relatives. Quite often, you can observe the joint presence of all relatives in a single space. Such structures have existed everywhere since ancient times. Some peoples still consider it necessary to live as a single family, represented by several generations (Eastern peoples). The increase in the number of family relations of this type in our country occurred in the period of the 90s. This can be attributed, most likely, to problems in housing and the inability to separate young people from their parents.

Common problems

Along with other features, a multigenerational family usually faces a number of difficulties. There may be problems of a pedagogical nature, contradictions in the upbringing of children. Generations of relatives of different ages have a different understanding of him from each other, which often leads to conflicts and misunderstandings. Families living under the same roof may have problems associated with limited mobility and freedom of movement, action in the living space. It is also possible to substituteroles, for example, the oldest man in the house, who claims to be in the lead, which may not always coincide with the views of the younger generation on this issue. Controversy may arise on this basis.

Pros and cons of the nuclear family

Like a multi-generational family, a simple nuclear family has advantages and disadvantages. The main advantages include complete independence from the opinions, decisions and views of other relatives. As well as the possibility of freedom of action in matters of raising children, choosing a place of residence, the type of behavior between spouses, and general mobility. In a nuclear family, the spouses themselves can decide on the dominant role of one of them. The main disadvantages include the fact that there is no borrowing of traditions, the foundations of the older generation. Close communication is not always possible. Mutual assistance and upbringing of children by more experienced family members are not observed.

Pros and cons of a complex family

The main advantage is the fact that a multigenerational family cultivates the transfer of knowledge and experience to younger relatives. A child or children growing up in such an environment has the opportunity to gain experience in communicating and interacting with people of different ages. This is the key to the acquisition of communication skills by the child, the formation of a manner of communication with the older generation. In such families, there is a high probability of successful establishment of domestic issues. The disadvantages include the inability of the younger generation to developown unique life experience. Often there are problems with changing the place of residence and making personal decisions for the younger generation.

Features of interaction in a multigenerational family

The relationship between different generations in such families is one of the most difficult, but at the same time important aspects. In this matter, it would be useful to take into account the interests of all members of such a structure - both the older generation and the younger one. The key point here is the mutual respect of all relatives for each other, the opportunity and ability to seek a compromise. All this will help to avoid conflict situations and will contribute to the peaceful coexistence of several generations on the same territory.

Based on the examples considered, it can be said that both the nuclear and multigenerational families have their own characteristics, among which one can find both disadvantages and advantages. Each of them has the right to exist. In matters of creating one or another type of family relationship, one should be guided by personal preferences, beliefs and opinions.