Rapoport and Rapoport identified how many types of family diversity?

• A. 3
• B. 4
• C. 5
• D. 6

Answer: (C)

Rapoport and Rapoport show that family life can vary along several dimensions, not just one pattern. They identify five kinds of diversity. Organisational diversity looks at how families are arranged and who does what in the home—nuclear, extended, single-parent, reconstituted, and different divisions of labour. Cultural diversity reflects differences rooted in ethnicity, religion, and cultural norms that shape family life. Class identity shows how economic resources and social position influence family structure and opportunities. Life-course diversity tracks changes over time in a family’s life, such as when people marry, have children, divorce, or remarry. Generational diversity captures differences between generations in experiences and attitudes toward family life.

Together these five types explain why there isn’t just one “typical” family form; you can see a wide range of patterns across different groups and over time.