The origin of the term Nuclear Family originated in the western world, this term was used to distinguish the family groups that consisted of parents and their children, to distinguish them from the extended family (joint Family). The term dates back to the year 1947 and is therefore relatively new. The trend to shift from the extended family to a small nuclear family has originated from the western values and civilization. At present around one quarter of the households that are in the United States of America are described as nuclear families, thus making them the third most general household arrangement in the United States. In a more common meaning the nuclear family refers to a family consisting only of a Father, Mother and their Children.