The purpose of this research is to understand emotional intelligence among joint and nuclear families. Study also compares emotional intelligence with other socio-demographic variables such gender and residential area. Study was administered among 120 college students (from Calicut, Kannur and Malappuram districts of Kerala) of age between 20-28. Samples contains 54 males and 66 females in which 58 are from rural area and 62 are from urban area. Data were collected using emotional intelligence scale developed by Anukool Hyde, Sanjyoth Pethe and Upinder Dhar in 2002. t-test analysis concludes that there is no significant difference between emotional intelligence among joint and nuclear families (p > 0.05), gender and residential arê.