This paper examines the model of the family which permeates stratification literature, introduces a modified way of conceptualzing the family which takes into account its changing nature and subjects the reformulation to a limited empirical test. The data used to test this reformulation were drawn from a longitudinal research project on 779 undergraduates. Research variables consisted of occupational status of parents, parents' educational level, family's social class distribution, and occupational-status discrepancies. The results consistently support the resource model, suggesting that persons do take into account family members, other than the father, when they are asked to assess their family's social status. (Author)