Kin Family Network: Overheralded Structure in Past Conceptualizations of Family Functioning

Abstract

A critique of the argument against the nuclear is presented. Attention is drawn to vital conceptual and methodological flaws in the argument by Sussman et al. against Parsons' position. It is concluded that the case against the isolated nuclear family has yet to be made. Guidelines are put forward for a proper determination of this matter. Empirical data are presented using these guidelines. A study population of 486 disability applicants was questioned about a closed set of 24 kin made up of parents, parents-in-law, sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters. When the data was standardized for kin availability, it was found that 38 percent of available kin lived in the same city or community, 51 percent of kin were seen at least monthly, and 17 percent provided significant help. The single, divorced, and widowed were found to be more integrated into their external kin network than the married, for whom kin are of relatively low importance. It was concluded that while for nuclear families the household is the basic family system, for the nonmarried it may well be the extended kin network.