A Family is defined in traditional terms as the basic unit in a society consisting of two parents rearing their children
The current definition is somewhat open and inclusive. A family might be two parents of any gender, married or not.
Some people even have a family with more than three parents. The children may have been born to one of the parents, both parents, or adopted.
In this post, you will find all the conversation questions you need to have a basic or extended conversation about families in English
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Types of Families
Families are important because they help meet basic needs and provide financial security and a support system.
There are different types of families:
- Nuclear Family consists of two parents and children.
- The single-parent family consists of one parent raising one or more children on his own.
- The extended family structure consists of two or more adults who are related, either by blood or marriage, living in the same home.
- A childless family is a couple who either cannot or choose not to have children.
- A blended family is one where the parents have children from previous relationships but all the members come together as one unit
Now let’s check some of the most important conversation questions about family
Family Conversation Questions: Basic Information
These are some conversation questions about family in which basic information is asked:
- How many brothers and sisters do you have?
- Are you an only child?
- Do you have younger or older brothers/sisters?
- Do you keep in touch with your parents and siblings?
- Are you married or single?
- Do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend?
- Do you have any children?
- Do you get along with the rest of the members of your family?
- Do you ever argue with your parents and siblings?
- How often do you meet your cousins?
- If you are married, how well do you get along with your in-laws?
- Who is the oldest person in your family?
- Who is the funniest person in your family?
- Do you usually have family gatherings?
- What do you like the most about your family?
Conversation Questions about Family: Your Parents
Parenting styles can affect everything from a child’s self-esteem and physical health to how they relate to others.
Researchers have identified four main types of parenting styles:
| #1 | Authoritarian |
| #2 | Authoritative |
| #3 | Permissive |
| #4 | Uninvolved |
These are some conversation questions about families that deal specifically with parenthood.
- Do you still live with your parents?
- What’s the best thing about your mom or dad?
- Are your parents strict?
- Are your parents flexible?
- Where does your mother work?
- Where does your father work?
- Are your parents permissive or authoritative?
- Are your parents overprotective?
- Who is more overprotective? Your mom or your dad?
- Do you live with your mom and dad?
- Are your parents divorced?
- What are some characteristics of permissive parents?
- What are some characteristics of authoritative parents?
- Do your parents trust you?
- What kind of parents did you have?
Family Questions: Think about the Past
“Making memories” is one way to create a lasting sense of common identity and shared family heritage among the members of your household.
These are some conversation questions about families that deal with the past.
- What are some of your childhood memories?
- How did you get your name?
- Did your parents let you stay up late?
- Did your parents let you watch TV?
- How did your family celebrate the holidays?
- How often did you go on vacation with your family?
- What games did you use to play with your brothers/sisters?
- How often did you go on family trips?
Discussion Questions about Family
These are some conversation questions about family that might generate some debate:
- Do many wives work in your country?
- Who should care for elderly people?
- Should people get married in their early 20’s?
- Who has the most power in your family?
- What is the perfect number of children a family should have?
- What do you think of people who marry and decide not to have children?
- What do you think about couples who have more than 6 children?
- Is it better for mothers to stay at home with their kids or go to work?
- Do you prefer spending time with your family or friends?
- What’s the best age to get married?
- Which is better: being married or being single? Why?
Family Questions: Raising Children
We all sometimes wonder if we make all the good decisions about raising a child.
It is not an easy job to be a parent, but it is a path that brings us maturation.
These are some conversation questions about families that deal specifically with raising children
- How many children would you like to have?
- Do you think your parents were good parents?
- What are some things that your parents did that you would never do?
- Would you like to raise your children in the way that you were raised?
- What qualities would you like to have as a father/mother?
- Do you help your children with homework?
- Do you think that children should help with chores around the house?
- What would you do if your son or daughter gets a tattoo?
- What are some things that your children aren’t allowed to do?
- Do you often read to your children? / Did you often read to your children?
- Do you think you spoil your children?
Dysfunctional Families
A dysfunctional family is one without healthy and appropriate boundaries and behaviors.
Examples of this include abuse, poor communication and conflict resolution skills, unhealthy coping skills, parentification of the children, placing children in unsafe situations, and placing extremely high and unattainable expectations on other family members.
These are some conversation questions about families that deal specifically with dysfunctional families:
- What’s a dysfunctional family?
- What are some Characteristics Of Dysfunctional Families?
- What do you think about parents resorting to physical abuse or violence to have control over the family?
- How can your overcome poor communication within your family?
- Do your family supports you?
- Do you know parents who have a drug, alcohol, or gambling addiction?
- Do you think that money is one of the most important requirements for having a happy family?
- What do you think about a family whose parents are religious fundamentalists?
- How can you overcome The Effects Of Dysfunctional Families?
- How can your broken family relationships?
