A. Based on Authority:
Patriarchal Family:
Senior most male member will be the head of the family who exercises power and control over the members and property of the family. The father senior most member is a fresh stock of descent. Wife, after the marriage comes to the husband’s home. All most all the societies practice this system. Evil of discrimination against women is generally attributed to this system.
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Matriarchal Family:
Women will be the head of the family and all other members, male or female, will be under her control. Mother will be fresh stock of descent and only female succeeds to the property. Few pockets in India practice such system (like Malabar).
B. Nuclear and Extended Families:
Nuclear Family:
Consists of husband, wife and their children. It is autonomous. If any member of the family marries they become separate unit.
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Extended Family:
Several nucleus families merge into the extended families. It consists father, sons, their children, wives, unmarried daughter, son’s sons, son’s daughters etc.
C. Basis of Residence:
Patrilocal Family:
After marriage the wife goes to the husband’s home.
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Matrilocal Family:
After marriage the husband goes to the wife’s home.
D. Basis of Plurality of Marriages:
Polygamous Family:
Husband having many wives in a family.
Polyandrous Family:
Wife marrying and living with many men.
Monogamous Family:
Husband having only one wife living.
E. Basis of Ancestry:
Patrilineal Family:
The lineage is through father.
Matrilineal Family:
The lineage is through mother.
F. Basis of in-Group and Out-Group Affiliation:
Exogamous Family:
A family wherein the marriages are made among the kith and kin.
Endogamous Family:
A family where the marriages are made from outside the family.