What type of family structure replaced extended families?

The nuclear family structure is recognized for consisting of two parents and their children living in one household, which became more prevalent in society as industrialization progressed. This shift represented a movement away from extended families—those that include multiple generations or a broader kinship network living together or in close proximity. As societies evolved, especially in more urban settings, the nuclear family became favored for its compactness and adaptability to modern lifestyles.

In contrast, blended families, which often arise from remarriages, integrate children from previous relationships and do not replace the concept of an extended family. Single-parent families consist solely of one parent and their children, which also does not signify a replacement of extended family structures but rather a different family dynamic. Grandparent families occur when grandparents take on primary caregiving roles for their grandchildren and also do not represent a distinct structure replacing the extended family. Thus, nuclear families emerged as the new standard in many societies, effectively replacing the traditional extended family model.