A conjugal family is a

nuclear family A nuclear family, elementary family, cereal-packet family or conjugal family is a family group consisting of parents and their children (one or more), typically living in one home residence. It is in contrast to a single-parent family, the larg ...

that may consist of a married couple and their children (by

birth Birth is the act or process of bearing or bringing forth offspring, also referred to in technical contexts as parturition. In mammals, the process is initiated by hormones which cause the muscular walls of the uterus to contract, expelling the f ...

adoption Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting of another, usually a child, from that person's biological or legal parent or parents. Legal adoptions permanently transfer all rights and responsibilities, along with filiation, fro ...

) or a couple who are unmarried or underage. Conjugal means there is a marriage relationship. The family relationship is principally focused inward and ties to extended kin are voluntary and based on emotional bonds, rather than strict duties and obligations. The spouses and their children are considered to be of prime importance, and other more distant relatives less important. The marriage bond is important and stressed. Since the notion of "family" has changed over time (for example, increasing acceptance of LGBT parenting,

stepfamily A stepfamily is a family where at least one parent has children that are not biologically related to their spouse. Either parent, or both, may have children from previous relationships or marriages. Two known classifications for stepfamilies i ...

, and

), the meaning of the term "

" became muddled (some use it to refer exclusively to opposite-sex parents, while others do not). To combat the ambiguity, the term "conjugal family" was created.

In Western societies

There are basic characteristics to a conjugal family. In most western societies, people are free to choose their spouse themselves, rather than their spouse being selected for them by

arranged marriage Arranged marriage is a type of marital union where the bride and groom are primarily selected by individuals other than the couple themselves, particularly by family members such as the parents. In some cultures a professional matchmaker may be us ...

. In western societies, the majority of (but not all) pairings are opposite-sex. Western societies often treat marriage as a legally-binding relationship, rather than an informal agreement. In these societies, both partners usually share control of their children's upbringing. They both have roles as a parent to protect their children, oversee the development of their children in society, and see to the survival of their children. In some cases, both partners have separate lines of income to support the family; in others, only one receives substantial income (colloquially called the "breadwinner") while the other spends more time caring for the family directly (looking after the children, taking care of the home, etc.).

Throughout the years

Conjugal family roles have changed over the years. Historically, marriages were exclusively opposite-sex and it was assumed that the male would be the head of the household and provide for the family while the woman would stay in the home and care for the children. However,

conjugal Conjugal rights may refer to: *Rights in marriage, related to conjugal responsibilities *Conjugal visits * Restitution of conjugal rights In English law, restitution of conjugal rights was an action in the ecclesiastical courts and later in the Co ...

roles have evolved over the years; in modern times, same-sex couples are more accepted, and in opposite-sex couples, the husband and wife are treated equally.

References

* * * Durkheim, Emile. "The conjugal family." ''Emile Durkheim on institutional analysis'' (1978): 229-239. * Family Marriage, unions and partnerships {{family-stub

In Western societies

Throughout the years

See also

References