How do cultural differences affect family structures?

Culture is one of the most powerful factors in determining a society's dominant family structure. The values a culture prioritizes—such as individualism or collectivism—directly shape whether families tend to be nuclear or joint.

• Individualistic Cultures: In many Western societies (like the United States and Northern Europe), the culture places a high value on individualism, independence, and personal privacy. In this context, the nuclear family is the norm. It is expected that children will leave home upon reaching adulthood to establish their own independent households.
• Collectivist Cultures: In many Asian, African, and Latin American cultures, the society is built on collectivism, community, and family loyalty. The well-being of the group is prioritized over individual desires. In these cultures, the joint or extended family is common. It is considered a duty to care for aging parents, and living together is a natural expression of family unity and shared responsibility.
• Urbanization and Globalization: Across the globe, forces like urbanization, industrialization, and globalization are causing a shift. As people move from rural villages to cities for work, they often adopt a nuclear family structure due to spatial constraints and economic pressures, even if their cultural background is traditionally collectivist.