The individual nuclear family is a universal social phenomenon. Duncan Mitchell in his ‘Dictionary of sociology has defined nuclear family as ‘A small group composed of husband and wife and immature children which constitutes a unit apart from the rest of the community.”

In simple words a nuclear family is one which consists of the husband wife and their unmarried children. Soon after marriage, the children leave their parental home and establish their separate household. Hence a nuclear family is an autonomous unit free from the control of the elders. Since there is physical distance between parents and their married children, there is minimum interdependence between them. Thus a nuclear family is mostly independent. Modern family is a typical example of nuclear family.

(1) Development of Personality:

Nuclear family plays an important role in the development of personality of individuals. Children are more close to the parents and can have more free and frank discussion about their problems with parents which helps for the better development of their personality.

(2) Better Condition of Women:

In nuclear families the condition of woman is better than joint families. She gets enough time to look after her children. She also gets time to plan and manage her house according to her own idea. There is no interference of elders. Her husband can also devote more attention to the wife in nuclear family.

(3) Less number of children:

Family planning programme becomes successful in nuclear families. The members of nuclear family have to plan and limit their family as they have to bear all the responsibilities and expenses themselves to rear their children. The children also are benefited in the long run as they inherit directly property from their parents.

(4) Peace and Harmony:

Peace and harmony are very much essential for a pleasant family life. In nuclear families there is no misunderstanding and they enjoy a harmonious atmosphere by living together.

(5) Individual Responsibilities:

In nuclear family there is no shifting of responsibility like in joint family. The parents are bound to take responsibility of their children by themselves. The head of family has to work hard to take care of his family.

(6) Problem Free Unit:

There is no chance of in-laws conflict. Financial problem does not arise in nuclear family. Money can be saved for future achievement and to face uncertain crisis of family. All enjoy independent life and can be engaged in any economic activities to supplement family income. The will and desires of children are considered and are given proper weight. All members of nuclear family are emotional secured. No superiority complex is felt by anybody. All are given equal weightage.

(1) Economic disadvantage:

The property of the family is divided among the brothers and each live separately. The land being subdivided does not yield much production resulting the land as an uneconomic holding. On the other hand one has to employ other labours to achieve the desired goal due to limited size of family. In this way the economic loss is more in nuclear family by paying remuneration to the labourers.

(2) Insecurity of Children:

In nuclear family both husband and wife adopt profession outside the family, then children are neglected and looked after by the servants. They feel lonely and emotional insecure. They develop more anxiety. If the bread winner dies or becomes incapable to en, there is no one to support the family. Even in time of emergency like sickness, accident or during pregnancy family members are very much neglected and there is no one to take care of them.

(3) Agency to Develop Bad Qualities of Inmates:

As it is an autonomous unit, it is free from the social control of elders. So the children develop all sorts of bad qualities like theft, her and lead their lifestyle in indiscipline way. They become unsocial as they do not get opportunity to mix with other members of the family.

(4) Loneliness:

Feeling of loneliness is one of important drawbacks in nuclear family. After completion of household task, the housewife becomes alone at home. At the time of emergency one can get any help and support from any other.

(5) Insecure For Old, Widow and Divorce:

In nuclear family widowed, old and divorce fare very much neglected. No one in the family bothers to take care of them. Physically and psychologically they feel insecure. Above all in nuclear family children are socially, emotionally and educational maladjusted. There is a chance of family breakage in case of conflict between the compel. Still then everybody wants to go for a nuclear family in the modern society because of its advantages which certainly outnumber the disadvantages.