National Counselor Exam (NCE)

What family structure is increasingly becoming common in the United States?

1. Nuclear family

2. Single-parent family

3. Multi-generational family

4. Childless family

The correct answer is: Multi-generational family

The multi-generational family structure is increasingly common in the United States due to a variety of social, economic, and cultural factors. As housing costs rise and economic conditions fluctuate, families are more likely to live together across multiple generations, combining resources and offering support to one another. This arrangement can also be influenced by changing cultural values that emphasize family ties and interdependence. In a multi-generational family, members from different generations — grandparents, parents, and children — live together or in close proximity, providing emotional, social, and financial support. This structure can serve to strengthen familial bonds and improve the overall well-being of its members, as they share caregiving responsibilities and create a supportive environment for raising children. Understanding the trend toward multi-generational living can inform counselors about the dynamics and challenges that families face today, helping them provide more tailored support and interventions that reflect the realities of modern family life.