These days, the traditional nuclear family comprising a mother, father and children is no longer the norm. Children today grow up in single-parent families, families with same-sex parents, stepfamilies, foster families and more. As a parent or teacher, it’s important to teach children to appreciate and respect the diversity of family structures. This helps build a more inclusive and accepting attitude in the next generation.
Different Family Structures
There are many types of families in modern society. Here are some of the most common:
- Single-parent families – This is where children live with just one parent. The single parent may be a mother or father. Children in single-parent families often still have contact with their other parents but do not live with them. Around 1 in 4 families with dependent children in the UK are single-parent families.
- Blended families – Also known as stepfamilies. This is where children live with one biological parent and their new partner. Stepfamilies are formed when parents re-partner after divorce or separation. Building bonds between stepparents and stepchildren can take time and patience.
- Same-sex parent families – This is where children live with parents of the same gender. For example, two mothers or two fathers. Same-sex couples may have children through adoption, foster care, surrogacy or assisted reproductive technologies.
- Multigenerational families – This is where grandparents, parents and grandchildren all live under the same roof. Having extended family around can provide children with a nurturing environment and strong support network.
- Foster families – This is where children who cannot live with their biological parents are placed with a foster family. The foster family provides a temporary home for the child and looks after their wellbeing. Family fostering involves training and assessment before foster parents welcome children into their home.
Appreciating Family Diversity
Here are some tips for encouraging children to appreciate different family forms:
- Use inclusive language. Refer to “parents” or “families” rather than just “mum and dad”. Avoid assumptions about a child’s home circumstances.
- Expose children to books and media showing diverse families. Seeing all kinds of families reflected in stories normalises diversity.
- Emphasise family values like love, care and responsibility rather than focusing on family structure.
- Discuss how families provide emotional warmth, security, guidance and identity – regardless of their makeup.
- When appropriate, explain kindly why a classmate may live with grandparents, two dads or a single mum. Satisfy curiosity and model tolerance.
- Make children feel their family is accepted. Avoid stigmatising non-traditional families as “broken” or “different”.
Normalising diversity from a young age will help pave the way for greater acceptance in society.
Supporting Diverse Families
There are small ways to support children from non-nuclear families:
- Make holidays inclusive. Have children make Mother’s/Father’s Day cards for all “loved ones”.
- Stop bullying about families. Enforce that teasing on this issue is unacceptable.
- Accommodate all families at school events. Strive for inclusive environments.
The key is making children feel accepted regardless of their family makeup. Even small gestures of inclusion go a long way.
Families today come in many varieties, but their core purpose remains the same – to give children a loving home. As parents and teachers, we must teach children to focus on the bonds of love and care that tie families together rather than the outward structure. Embracing family diversity will lead to more inclusive, compassionate communities in the future.
