Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Practice Exam

What term describes families consisting of divorced parents who have created two distinct nuclear families?

1. Extended Family

2. Binuclear Family

3. Nuclear Family

4. Blended Family

The correct answer is: Binuclear Family

The term that describes families consisting of divorced parents who have created two distinct nuclear families is "Binuclear Family." This concept specifically refers to the structure where each parent has their own separate household that functions as a nuclear family, yet both families remain interconnected through shared parenting and relationships with their children. In a binuclear family, despite the physical separation of the parents, the children often navigate between both households, maintaining ties and relationships with both sides of their family. This structure highlights the ongoing parental roles and responsibilities that continue post-divorce, as well as the adaptation of family dynamics in the context of co-parenting. The other terms are not applicable in this scenario. The term "Extended Family" refers to families that include additional relatives outside the immediate nuclear family, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, which does not capture the essence of divorced parents creating two separate units. "Nuclear Family" specifies a traditional family unit consisting solely of parents and their children without any inclusion of other relatives or split households. "Blended Family" typically refers to a family unit formed when one or both partners in a relationship have children from previous relationships and then come together, integrating these children into a single family unit. While similar to binuclear