Family is one of the most diverse and dynamic concepts in existence. There are multitudes of factors that constitute ones personal beliefs on family and what it entails. My personal position on the matter is that family is a group of people, related either by blood or by sharing an extremely close bond by some other means, which are always there for each other and possess all the aspects of kinship. Like I mentioned above, everyone’s ideology of family is different; the way you’ve been raised, obstacles you’ve experienced, and even demographics all construct different opinions on what “family” is. I set out to understand others’ thoughts on what family is by interviewing three people: my girlfriend Alexis (age 19), my dad Rhett (age 45) and …show more content…
my nana Jan (age 70). When I asked Alexis her thoughts on what family is, she replied with, “Anybody in life who helps you set and achieve goals. People who support you in your decisions while knowing what’s best for you and ultimately wanting you to succeed in life.” My dad interpreted family to be, “The people in your life that you are the closest to. Usually blood relatives or relatives through marriage. The people you know who care as much about you and your welfare as they care about themselves.” My nana believes family is, “The people who fill me and complete me, my haven and safe harbor. Family is my teacher, and offers me the opportunity to love beyond myself. Family grants me the experience of unmeasured compassion, forgiveness at all costs, and generosity beyond reason. Family’s granted me meaning in life, reason to live life with character, the opportunity to serve and nurture, freedom to be who I really am, and genuine happiness.” Even with just this small sample of definitions, it’s clear to see everyone has a different viewpoint and ideology in regards to what family truly is. The textbook describes family as, “A group of two people or more (one of whom is the householder) related by birth, marriage, or adoption and residing together; all such people (including related subfamily members) are considered as members of one family.” On the contrary, Urban Dictionary comically defines family as, “People you hate, but eat dinner together.” While these definitions are essentially polar opposites, both carry a certain amount of truth.
The textbook addresses this issue, stating that there is almost too much variety in “family” for it to be properly defined. Another large factor regarding family is something known as, “affiliated kin,” defined as, “unrelated individuals who feel and are treated as if they were relatives.” Affiliated kin can be anyone you treat as though they’re family, although you aren’t related through blood, such as: best friends, girlfriends, boyfriends, pets, teachers, neighbors, and many more. I would say affiliated kin is a gargantuan component as to why family is so difficult to define. I have many close friends that I, along with my family, consider to be a part of our family; even though they aren’t related to us through blood. While reading the text (The Family and Marriage Experience) I discovered that I have a fairly liberal understanding of family. Most people consider a “nuclear” family, the definition of family. A nuclear family is a family consisting of a mother, a father, and children. To take this even further, the
majority of Americans believe traditional nuclear families to be the most common form of family (a traditional family is a nuclear family in which the mother stays at home with the children, while the father makes the money). With the constant change and modernization of families, such as women becoming the breadwinners, millennial’s living at home longer, and more single-parent families, our definition of family is also invariably altered. In my personal opinion, there are far too many aspects that forge a family. Different circumstances and variables are present in each of our lives, which continuously alter each of our outlooks in family. How can you define such an intricate and elaborate structure? I don’t think any two or three sentences can properly represent the multitude of situations we each experience.
What is a family? People you’re related to? People you live with? According to Webster.com, it is a combination of those things. However, this definition could vary depending on who you ask. The meaning of family has changed over the years. Divorce and remarriage, single families, same-sex marriage, new family roles, and technology are just a few factors that have changed the way we interpret and define of family.
What exactly is family? Does this word really have any significance? This word is only mentioned directly by name in the Bible a total of five times, four of those being in the Old Testament. Genesis 2:24 reads that “Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” This statement implies that “family” is a father, mother, and child/children. Essentially that is exactly what a family is. The word family in today’s society holds a different meaning in western civilization. On a psychological level, your family is a group of people who you care deeply about; they do not have to be related in any such way. Times have changed to where mothers and fathers are figures that have brought a new life in to the world, not necessarily meaning that they raised this new being. The terms mom and dad have a different connotation than mother and father;
Family is defined as “a group of people who are related to each other, a person 's children, or a group of related people including people who lived in the past” by the website of the Merriam-Webster, a respected dictionary first assembled in the year eighteen twenty eight.
A family might include anyone related by blood or by adoption such as: step parents, grandparents acting as parents, and even brothers and sisters sharing the same household. However, worldwide “the family is regarded as the most ba...
The word “family” is unique, special, and controversial among different cultures and ethnicities. As defined by Random House Western Dictionary, a family is “any group of persons closely related by blood, as parents, children, uncles, aunts, and cousins” (Dictionary.com). Although the definition from Random House follows the infamous proverb of, “blood is thicker than water,” my definition of family does not. Family is not defined or restricted by blood relations. In my mind, a family is simply a group of people, who loves, supports, and helps each other unconditionally, and endlessly. Regardless of one’s sexual orientation or preference, all families embody these common principles. Thus, a family unites its members through the strong bonds and kinships formed when people come together. (Great intro.)
Family, a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household. Although family is a concretely defined term, the idea of family varies from person to person. But, what makes a family? For those who are surrounded by loving blood relatives, for those who have never known the one to grant them life, for those who have left their blood behind for a more loving and nurturing environment, what can commonly define a family? Family is something defined by the individual. Family includes those who you have come to love, whether platonically or romantically, those you have suffered with, those you have come to respect, and most importantly those you have cared for and in turn have cared for you. To one that could mean people who
Many would see family as just bloodline due to many television shows and movies; however, family is people who support us and we enjoy in our lives. When people mention family, many would think of individuals in their bloodlines. This standard norm for many comes from the depiction of family on T.V. For example, in AMC hit show, “The Walking Dead” many of the choices made by the group leader Rick Grimes, during a zombie apocalypse, are usually the best for his family not the group in its entirety. People can view his action to be appropriate due to him putting his bloodline first over the many other who are there such as protecting his pregnant wife over the group itself. When faced with a situation of that magnitude many would think family
When the word “family” is discussed most people think of mothers, fathers, and other siblings. Some people think of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and even cousins and more on the pedigree tree. Without family in people 's lives they would not be the same people that they grew up to be today and in the future. When people hear the word family they think about, the ones who will help them in any way they can whether it 's money, support, advice, or anything to help them succeed in life. Family will forever be the backbone of support. They are the ones who support their children during those life decisions. Family is not always blood related. Finally family is forever, family will never go away.
I think the defines family is the people that surround you to Comfort you and love you and are always there for you when you having a tough time. Here are the things that can be in a family mom, dad, pets, grandparents, sisters, brothers, aunts and uncles. Family can be there when you're having a school
“A family can be defined as a set of people related by blood, marriage or in some other agreed upon relationship, or adoption, who share primary responsibility for reproduction and caring for member of society". (Schaefer, 2009, p. 288) This leads to a wide open range of interpretation on the exact definition of how a family is truly made up. Depending on your culture, religion, or geographical location a family may represent and be comprised of many different ideals and social norms. There are many theoretical perspectives that have their own interpretations on the subject of what a family is and how it is perceived. I will attempt to expound on three of these perspectives; Functionalism, Conflict, and Interactionalism.
To me, family is a group of people that are brought together by blood, adoption, or marriage. I also believe that people do not have to be blood-related to be considered a family. If two or more people have a connection with one another where they can rely and depend on each other and have an emotional attachment, I also believe that to be considered family. Golics, Azam, Finlay, & Salek (2010), define family as a diverse group of people that care for each other on a day-to-day basis (p. 400). My mother and father are still married after 27 years. I am a child of three with two older brothers, both are currently married with children. My older brother Robert and his wife, Lauren have to two girls named Abigail and Avery. My other other brother...
Family is arguably the most important social institution in an individual's life. A family is defined as a group of individuals that are related through blood ties, adoption or marriage, that form an economic unit, where the adult members are responsible
My definition of family is a group of people who are related to each other.
Everyone seems to define family differently, however, the significance of family is the same. For you, family means everything. You can always count on your parents and siblings for help and love. Family is very valuable and important to you and should never be taken for granted. No one can deny that family is the foundation of our generation. A family is where we all start our life journey and helps us grow to be successful throughout our lives.
Family is a fundamental social institution in society, the family, is considered the primary and most important agent of socialization. Family typically consists of a man and woman and their children or two or more people who usually reside in the same home and share same goals and values. Traditionally, in all societies, the family has always been seen as a social institution; that has the biggest impact on society.