Final answer:
Extended families are common in traditional economies where multiple generations or units of a family live and work together, particularly in agricultural societies. They provide social and economic support, especially where labor is a valued resource. However, with modernization, the extended family's role may diminish, particularly for non-working elderly members.
Step-by-step explanation:
Extended families are more commonly found in certain social and economic contexts. An extended family typically incorporates multiple family units into a single, integrated household which may include two or more generations such as grandparents, parents, and children. It could also consist of polygamous families or married siblings living together with their children, known as joint families. These family structures are particularly advantageous in traditional economies, often found in parts of Asia, Africa, and South America, where agriculture is prevalent, and occupations are passed down within the family.
Traditional economies benefit from extended families due to the high demand for labor-intensive agricultural work, where all family members can contribute. In modern industrial or service-oriented economies, this family structure may become less common as nuclear families become the norm. Additionally, extended families often emerge during economic hardships or transitions in more developed societies, offering mutual support among relatives.
Despite the many benefits that extended families bring, modernization theory posits that as societies industrialize, the value of an extended family diminishes, especially for the elderly members who may not participate directly in the workforce, potentially leading to a perception of them as an economic burden.