8.5: The Diversity of Today’s Families
The landscape of families has changed considerably over the last few decades. It is not that different types of families have never existed, but in today’s society, we are making places at the table for this diversity. The families that we serve in our early learning centers reflect this.
Types of Families
- Dual parent family
- Single Parent
- Grandparents or other relatives
- Teen parents
- Adoptive families
- Foster families
- Families with same sex parents
- Bi-racial/Multi-racial families
- Families with multi-religious/faith beliefs
- Children with an incarcerated parent(s)
- Unmarried parents who are raising children
- Transgender parents raising children
- Blended families
- Multigenerational Families
- Families formed through reproductive technology
- First time older parents
- Families who are homeless
- Families with children who have developmental delays and disabilities
- Families raising their children in a culture not their own
The list above is extensive; however, other family systems you will encounter in your work with children's families, are all worthy of respect and understanding. For a definition of the types of families listed above, refer to the Appendix.
As an early childhood professional, why might it be important to understand each of these family structures?