American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) Practice Test

What is defined as the expansion of a nuclear family including various relatives?

1. Single-parent family

2. Extended family

3. Blended family

4. Complex family

The correct answer is: Extended family

The correct answer is the extended family, which refers to a family structure that includes not only the nuclear family—typically consisting of parents and their children—but also additional relatives such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. This type of family arrangement emphasizes the interconnectedness of multiple generations and the importance of a broader family network in providing support, sharing responsibilities, and fostering relationships. In contrast, a single-parent family is formed when one parent is responsible for raising their children, which does not involve the extended support of other relatives. A blended family is characterized by the merging of two separate families, often due to remarriage, where one or both partners bring children from previous relationships into a new family unit. A complex family generally describes family situations with various forms of relationships and dynamics, but it does not specifically highlight the inclusion of extended relatives. Thus, the extended family represents a specific and well-defined structure that sets it apart from the other types mentioned.