The development of this comparison is an attempt to present the life situation and the quality of the functioning of families with a child with Down syndrome against the background of the statistical situation of Polish families raising a child with normal development of a comparable age. The aim of the study was to answer the following questions: — Are there impacts and, if so, to what extent of the coming into the world and the existence of a family of a child with Down syndrome on the organization and the standard of living and in the family ties and cohesion among its members? — Whether and to what extent the situation of families with a child with Down syndrome is different from that of ordinary, contemporary Polish families? As a basis for these studies the diagnostic survey method was used, which was subordinated to the techniques of observation, targeted interviews and intelligence. The empirical material was collected using several tools (mostly drawn from the planned research program). The study included 186 families, including 86 (46.2%) of families with a child with Down’s syndrome (primary group – P) and 100 (53.8%) of families statistical reference (control group – K). The results were empirical and statistical verification in order to develop on the basis of their importance to the practice of generalizations and conclusions.