A nuclear family typically consists of:

A nuclear family is defined as a family unit comprised of two parents (a couple) and their biological, adopted, or foster children living together. This structure represents the traditional concept of family and is often contrasted with extended family arrangements, which may include other relatives like grandparents, aunts, uncles, or cousins living in the same household.

The defining feature of a nuclear family is the presence of two parents and their immediate children, forming a core family unit that may support various social functions such as emotional support, economic stability, and nurturing of the children. The focus on a couple with their children underscores the intimate and primary relationships within this family type, distinguishing it from other family structures like single-parent families or blended families, which involve additional complexities and dynamics not central to the nuclear family concept.