Which term describes family members who don’t live together but maintain close ties?

• A. Nuclear family
• B. Modified extended family
• C. Patriarchal family
• D. Symmetrical family

Answer: (B)

In sociology, this describes networks of relatives who stay closely connected and support each other even though they don’t share the same home. The term modified extended family fits because it captures the idea of kin who are still part of a larger family system and maintain frequent contact, help, and emotional ties, without all living under one roof.

This differs from a nuclear family, which centers on a couple and their dependent children living together. It also isn’t about who has authority within the family (that would be a patriarchal family) or about equal divisions of domestic labor (that would be a symmetrical family). A modified extended family emphasizes the ongoing close relationships among kin across separate households, which is exactly what the question is describing. For example, grandparents or aunts and uncles who live nearby and regularly visit, help with childcare, or share resources while families still live in separate homes.