We explain what an assembled family is and some of its characteristics. In addition, single-parent and homo-parent family.
What is an assembled family?
An assembled family, mixed family or reconstructed family is known as a family nucleus in which one or both parents have descendants from a previous union. In other words, it is a family made up of one or two divorced parents, widowers or single parents.
The origin of this term dates back to Argentina in 1987, when the divorce law was enacted, officially recognizing this figure in that country, where it was already an important demographic group. And although it is assumed that they are also so in the rest of the Western world, the figures regarding the assembled families are very diverse.
This is due to the fact that, depending on the legislation, non-legalized second unions, very frequent in Latin America, or single mothers and fathers who later marry for the first time.
However, both in Europe and in the US the divorce rates are significant (30% and 50% respectively), but of the divorced a very high percentage (75%) decide to try again with a new partner.
The use of these terms in Spanish has been advocated for combat the pejorative connotation that the suffix –astro gives to a stepfather or a stepmotherFigures that in the imaginary of the children’s fable are also linked to evil or selfishness. This connotation does not exist in the English term: step- (like the stepfather or stepmother).
Single parent family
When talking about a single parent family, it means that is guided by a single parent, either father or mother. This is the case of widowers and widowers, single parents, and divorced parents who do not return to build a permanent relationship.
This term is used only when there are children to care for, and contrary to what is often thought, these households they are not incomplete, nor are they therefore dysfunctional, but simply the father or mother alone occupies the tutelary role.
At most, and depending on the case, may face greater financial difficulties than a household in which both parents contribute money to the household, which is not always the case in households in which there are two parents.
Homoparental family
The homoparental family is that whose parents are a same-sex couple, that is, a homosexual couple, and they have children from previous relationships or acquired through adoption, surrogacy or artificial insemination (in the case of female partners).
Legal recognition of this type of family It has been possible only in those countries that recognize the legal homosexual union (in some cases referred to as equal marriage or gay marriage) and allow them access to adoption.
This subject can be controversial, since there are numerous religious and moral positions against it; but it is a general trend, at least in the West, the normalization of homosexuality and homosexual relationships, thus providing spouses with the just protection of the law and the benefits of officially life as a couple.
Equal marriage is currently recognized in 25 countries: Germany, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Spain, United States (in some states), Finland, France, Ireland, Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Norway, New Zealand, Netherlands, Portugal , United Kingdom, South Africa, Sweden and Uruguay.