Family Diversity

Abstract

University students majoring in education and family studies were surveyed regarding their definitions and perceptions of "family. " Under investigation was the extent to which students differ in their acceptance of diverse family structures. Explorations were conducted on the basis of gender and college major Findings indicate that the subjects tended to support the traditional nuclear family as a family, and to agree that families with children represented a family. Moreover, although they agree with many diverse family structures described, they tend not to agree that cohabiting couples without children, same-gender partners, divorced couples, and certain extended families constitute a family. Several gender and college major differences were found. Implications and recommendations are presented.