Key Terms
Interpersonal relationship
A deep, close relationship between two or more people; can be a friendship, couple, or marriage.
Family
A group of people related by birth, marriage, coresidence, or some combination. Definitions vary widely by culture, clas
Nuclear family
A couple and their dependent children; typically assumed to be heterosexual.
Single-parent family
One parent with a dependent child or children.
Extended family
Relatives outside the nuclear family — aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents.
Blended family
A couple with children from previous relationships.
Family of choice
A deliberately chosen group of people who function as a support system; may or may not be biologically related.
Chosen family
Non-blood-related friends who exist somewhere between friends and kin; perform a surrogate role, often filling in for fa
Heteronormative
A societal belief that makes heterosexuality the default and assumes everyone is heterosexual until proved otherwise; no
Heterosexism
A bias that heterosexuality and heterosexual relationships are superior to all others.
Internalized heterosexism
Heterosexism that an individual personally believes and incorporates internally.
Minority stress
Health disparities in minority groups explained in part by discrimination-caused stress and illness; developed by Ilan M
Polyamorous
The practice of intimate relationships with more than one partner, with the consent of all partners. A polyamorous famil
Nonmonogamous relationships
Deep, close relationships between two or more people who consensually engage in sex with others outside the relationship
Nonmonogamous families
Couples with children who consensually engage sexually with adults outside the couple.