Final answer:
The term reflecting both closeness and distance in family relationships pertains to the differences between nuclear and extended family. The nuclear family denotes immediate family, while the extended family includes a broader range of relatives, with different societies attributing varying degrees of kinship intimacy and obligations to these roles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that describes being very close to some family members and distant as well to others is tied to the concepts of extended family and nuclear family. In social studies, particularly in the field of anthropology, the nuclear family refers to the immediate family unit consisting of parents and children. Meanwhile, the extended family encompasses not only the nuclear family but also additional relatives such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. This structural arrangement recognizes various degrees of closeness or distance based on cultural norms and the designation of certain kinship roles.
In some cultures, the extended family is considered to be quite important with kinship ties extending to distant relatives, equating distant cousins with a level of intimacy comparable to siblings. Kinship charts, often used by anthropologists, convey these relationships and how individuals within a family network are connected. These charts help in understanding how different societies perceive family relations and the obligations and privileges that come with those relationships.