What is a nuclear family?

A nuclear family is characterized as a family unit that consists of two parents (typically a married couple) and their biological (or sometimes adopted) children living together in one household. This structure is often considered the traditional family model in many societies, emphasizing the direct lineage connecting parents and their offspring.

The definition specifically highlights the relationship dynamics within this unit—where the parents are usually in a marital relationship, which is integral to the term "nuclear." This contrasts with other forms of family structures, such as extended families, which include additional relatives like grandparents, aunts, or uncles, or those that consist of single parents or divorced couples that may share custody. Thus, the chosen answer clearly aligns with this conventional understanding of what constitutes a nuclear family.