What are families & households?

• Family


  • Broad definition: All those related to a common ancestor (i.e. family tree)
  • Narrower definition: Parents living together with their children (i.e. family unit)
• There is a debate about whether the definition of the family implies kinship ties (i.e. related 'by blood')
• Household


  • A group of people who live together regardless of kinship ties
  • This could be a traditional nuclear family, or a group of housemates