ABSTRACT
The phrase extended family refers to “social relationships among those related by blood, law, or self-ascribed association that extends beyond the marriage or committed partner couple and the immediate family of parenting adult(s) and dependent children” (Schmeeckle & Sprecher, 2004 , p. 350). Extended family is sometimes referred to as “secondary kin,” and differentiated from immediate family or fi rst-tier kin (Adams, 1999 ). Family scholars in the U.S. have often treated extended family relationships as peripheral relationships. Indeed, some families themselves place little emphasis on extended family relationships beyond a few obligatory ties. Families toward the other extreme treat “extended family” as a part of the fi rst tier-family. This may be especially the case for families who live in multigenerational units, as they depend upon and cooperate with each other to provide for the family economically, raise children, collaborate on chores, and support one another.
