Final answer:
A traditional family structure in which male and female partners and their children live as an independent unit is known as a nuclear family.
Step-by-step explanation:
A traditional family structure in which male and female partners and their children live as an independent unit is known as a nuclear family. A nuclear family typically consists of two parents and their immediate offspring living together in the same household. This family structure is commonly found in societies where geographic mobility is valued and is the smallest family structure.