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Family: Types and Functions

🌍 Social Studies 📋 JSS1 📅 First Term ⏱ ~20 min 📝 5 quiz questions
📖 Content 📝 Quiz (5)

What Is a Family?

A family is a group of people related by blood, marriage, or adoption, living together or apart, who share common goals and responsibilities.

Types of Family

TypeDescriptionExample
Nuclear familyFather, mother and their childrenMost common in urban areas
Extended familyNuclear family + grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousinsCommon in rural Nigeria
Single-parent familyOne parent and childrenDue to death, divorce or choice
Polygamous familyOne man married to more than one womanCommon in traditional settings

Functions of the Family

  1. Reproduction: Continuation of the human species
  2. Socialisation: Teaching children values, norms and customs
  3. Protection: Physical and emotional security
  4. Economic support: Providing food, shelter, clothing
  5. Affection: Love, care and emotional support
  6. Education: Early training and guiding children's education
💡 The family is the most basic unit of society. Strong families build strong communities and nations.

📝 Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Answer all 5 questions, then click Submit to see your result.

Question 1 of 5
What type of family consists of only father, mother, and their children?
A nuclear family consists of a father, mother and their children only.
Question 2 of 5
Which function of the family involves teaching children social values and customs?
Socialisation is the process by which children learn the values, norms and customs of their culture — primarily from their family.
Question 3 of 5
An extended family includes?
An extended family goes beyond the nuclear family to include grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives.
Question 4 of 5
Why is the family considered the basic unit of society?
The family is fundamental because it produces, nurtures and socialises individuals who make up communities and nations.
Question 5 of 5
Which type of family is headed by one parent?
A single-parent family has only one parent — due to death of the other parent, divorce, or personal choice.
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