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Correct Answer: extended
the family structure described in the scenario includes tom, sue, their son, and sue's father. this setup exemplifies an extended family. in defining family types, a nuclear family traditionally consists of just the parents and their children, living together as a single household unit without the inclusion of other relatives.
an extended family, on the other hand, goes beyond this basic unit to include additional family members such as grandparents, in-laws, aunts, uncles, and cousins. these members might live together under one roof or maintain very close and regular contact, contributing to the family's daily life and functioning. in the case of tom and sue, sue's father not only lives with them but also plays a significant role in daily activities such as childcare.
it's important to differentiate this from other types of family structures. a blended family, for instance, would involve children and possibly parents from previous relationships coming together to form a new family unit. this is not the case here as the scenario does not mention any step-children or step-parents.
similarly, an adoptive family is characterized by the legal adoption of children by individuals who are not their biological parents. a foster family involves temporary care for children who are not legally adopted by the caregivers. neither of these situations applies to tom and sue’s family configuration.
the presence of sue’s father, a grandparent, living with the nuclear family and actively participating in raising the child, clearly points to the family being an extended family. this classification acknowledges the vital role that extended family members often play in providing support, such as childcare, which is essential for the functioning of the primary family unit.
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