In the United States and elsewhere in the Western world, the family structure considered to be the standard is the so-called nuclear family. This is two married parents with children. However, the actual percentage of children who grew up in these sorts of families is not nearly as high as we might think. In 1970 the percentage of households in the US that fit this description was 40%, but as of 2021 that percentage is now 17.8% (United States Census Bureau, n.d.). In Eastern cultures, particularly in Asia, there is less focus on the immediate family unit and more multi generational cohabitation (Oesterdiekhoff, 2024). Unlike in the West, marriage in these countries does not necessarily create a separate household.
The idea of the nuclear family derives from modern Europe. When a family member was married, they and their spouse would be considered to be a part of a new household separate from their parents. The fact that European newlyweds would need to support a separate household also meant that they needed sufficient wealth to do so, and this in turn pushes up the average age of marriage (Oesterdiekhoff, 2024). The exact reason or reasons for the emergence of this sort of family structure are not entirely clear, but one theory is that the church’s vehement opposition to arranged marriages meant potential partners had more options (Oesterdiekhoff, 2024). The church’s opposition to ancestor worship may have also meant placing less importance on caring for elder family members, which is common in Eastern cultures.
In many non-Western cultures, it is more common to see multiple generations all living under one roof. Elders will be cared for by the younger generations and the very young will be cared for by the older generations. This is compared to the common practice in the West of shipping elders off to retirement homes. In this way, this arrangement has its perks, but the system also has its downsides. This system is based on male inheritance, which means that the structure is still very patriarchal. When a father dies, the brothers will assume control of the family from within the same household (Oesterdiekhoff, 2024). This can mean that the women of the family have limited control over their choice of partner and living arrangements.
While these systems are distinct when examined separately, the rise of a global society has meant that these systems have influenced each other. With the rapid urbanization of Asia, particularly in China, the nuclear family has become a viable model for city living. While many Chinese have flocked to the cities, many also still live in rural areas and continue to operate under the extended family model. In India up to 93% of marriages are still arranged. According to an article from the BBC, only 3% of Indians were in a “love marriage” (BBC, 2021). Some Eastern countries have also started to see a rise in average age of marriage, further reflecting Western norms (Oesterdiekhoff, 2024).
The dynamics of family structure are too complex to relate in a single blog post, but if we look back through the history, psychology, economics and culture of these structures then we can start to see a pattern of necessity dictating the family dynamic. Europe, for example, is small and crowded. A higher marriage age acts as a form of population control. This limits competition for already limited resources. Industrialization has thrown both models into a period of change, and this will continue throughout history.
References
Oesterdiekhoff, G. (2024). Family patterns in the western and the eastern world. (n.d.). https://www.researchgate.net publication/378028304_Family_Patterns_in_the_Western_and_the_Eastern_World
Bureau, U. C. (2024, October 23). Current population survey (CPS). Census.gov. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps.html
BBC. (2021, December 8). What the data tells us about love and marriage in India. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-59530706
Very interesting post! Despite living in a Western country, I have a large extended family that lives within a 45 minute driving radius, though most are within 15 minutes. In that sense, my family is largely my community. I find that it provides me with a sense of belonging and emotional connection, as well as a sense of purpose (Gruman et al. 2017). Despite this, when I graduate, I am moving to a different city around 2 hours away with my fiance. While I’ve found that the Eastern model of family works for me, I’m excited to see what it’s like to build my own support network away from my family.
Gruman, J.A., Schneider, F.W., & Coutts, L.A. (2017). Applied Social Psychology: Understanding and Addressing Social and Practical Problems. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.