Abstract
The aim of this study is to clarify the relation between the two couples in succeeding generation within a stem family. The existing discussions suggest that a changing direction of stem families will be specified by studying the extent to which nuclear units are separated to each other in the role structure of the family.
It is often said that families in Japan are in a transitional period from the long-established stem family to a modified one or even to a. variant of nuclear family. Stem families are varied in their internal structural patterns ; in some families than in others parent-couples are more sharply separated from child-couples in the sphere of residence and/or family budget. The data of the present study are drawn from the field interviewings three times in Katsunuma-cho, Yamanashi-prefecture : first in 1966, second in 1972, and finally in 1973. Consequently, both a cross-sectional analysis and a longitudinal analysis were applied to the data.
The findings will be summarized as follows :
1) The degree of separation of nuclear units within a stem family is on the increase. Privacy and satisfaction of personal needs are pursued largely as a result of the increasing separation of nuclear units.
2) A relatively marked separation of nuclear units takes place in the early stage of the life cycle of child's family of procreation. In such samples, however, separation of nuclear units is a function of development in the life cycle stage of a stem family.
3) The phenomenon of separation of nuclear units observed within a stem family does not represent family TRANSMUTATION (change in type), but remains family TRANSFORMATION (change in form).
