Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant State Practice Exam

Which of the following best represents the concept of family?

1. Neighbors who wave hello

2. Divorced persons who live apart

3. Two friends who have been in touch once a year since grade school

4. One parent with a child

The correct answer is: One parent with a child

The concept of family is often defined by relationships that are characterized by emotional connections, support, and often, a shared living situation. The correct choice reflects a traditional family structure where there is a parent-child relationship. This arrangement exemplifies the core aspects of family: caregiving, nurturing, and the emotional bond that develops between a parent and child. In this context, one parent with a child embodies the essential components of family dynamics, including responsibilities, care, and familial love. This scenario is widely recognized in society as a foundational model of family, where the parent often provides for the child's physical, emotional, and educational needs. Other scenarios, while they may involve relationships, do not align as closely with the traditional definition of family. Neighbors who wave hello do not represent an intimate or supportive connection indicative of family. Divorced persons living apart may share a history, but they typically do not function as a cohesive family unit. Similarly, two friends who maintain sporadic contact do not illustrate the consistent, supportive relationship that families often embody.