What term is used to describe families that do not fulfill their functional roles?

The term used to describe families that do not fulfill their functional roles is "dysfunctional families." This concept refers to family units that struggle to meet the emotional, social, and practical needs of their members. In dysfunctional families, the dynamics may include poor communication, ineffective conflict resolution, and a lack of support, leading to unhealthy relationships among family members.

Dysfunctional families can manifest in various forms and can negatively impact individual development and well-being. Understanding this term is important in the context of family life education, as it highlights the significance of healthy family interactions and the need for interventions that promote functional family systems.

The other terms, while related to different family structures or dynamics, do not capture the idea of a family failing to meet its roles. Supportive families imply a positive environment, extended families refer to those including multiple generations or branches, and nuclear families describe a basic unit consisting of two parents and their children. These structures can exist healthily or unhealthily, but the defining characteristic of dysfunction points specifically to the failure in fulfilling family roles.