This paper deals with aspects of positive family affect in intimate family relationships such as: (1) the nuclear family of orientation, including the child-parent subgroup and the sibling subgroup; (2) the nuclear family of procreation, including the marital subgroup and parent-child subgroup; and (3) the dating relationship. Interpersonal intimacy is defined in terms of cultural norms and values. College level texts dealing with family sociology are analyzed in detail to determine their treatment of family relationship types. The paper traces the passage of an individual's ego through nuclear family relationships using a modified traditional family life cycle. Intimate/affectionate interaction in each of the family subgroups is also discussed. (JAC)