Family Definition Essay

Growing up in a big family can be tough some days, although I would not have it any other way. My mom has four siblings and my dad has five, blessing me with over twenty first cousins and an extended family that is too large to count. I was also fortunate enough to have both sets of grandparents and several great grandparents as an active part of my life. I am the youngest of three kids, having an older brother and an older sister. Being the baby of the family growing up I did not get in much trouble for I had two older siblings to blame my mistakes on. Some people define family as, “any group of persons closely related by blood, as parents, children, uncles, aunts, and cousins” (dictionary.com), while I define it as those

Family. A word that has about as many meanings as there are stars in the sky. Can family truly be defined, or is it merely interpretive? According to Seccombe, family is a relationship by blood, marriage, or affection, in which members may cooperate economically, may care for children, and may consider their identity to be intimately connected to the larger group (Seccombe 4). Although I do agree with the above explanation of family, I believe that it is inadequate in that it only supplies a framework of family rather than the duties and purpose. To me, family is a unit of individuals, related or not, that symbolize and exude comfort, solace, and support through all the trials and triumphs life throws our way.

My family, which are my three boys are my world. Every decision, including going back to school and working nights so I could be there for them during the day was made with them in mind. Family means different things for different people. I personally do not think family can just be classified as mom, dad and kids. It is whomever has made the decision to go through life together as a team. The author of our text book, Kendall describes family like this, “As relationships in which people live together with commitment, form an economic unit and care for any young, and consider their identity to be significantly attached to the group.” (Kendall, 2014) I personally think family is the foundation that makes us who we are and makes society so

Growing up, English speaking, oldest child from California, my definition of family has changed a lot over the years, but no matter the changes my family has always had a strong impact on my life. When I was growing up, I was always around family. Christmas Eve was always spent with my mom’s

What’s the meaning of family? According to Merriam-Webster dictionary family is defined as “all the descendants of common ancestor”, but is that how do you define family? Have you ever had someone in your life outside of your family that you were able to confide in? Share your happiness and saddest moments with? Be your biggest advocate? If the answer is yes, then these people are considered family as well. Channeling personal experiences I’m able to relate to Cecile Gilmer’s believe that “Families are not only blood relatives but sometimes just people who show up and love you when no one else will.”

I define family by a group of people that communicate on regular basic, care for each other, and love each other unconditionally. I think that I was able to construct that definition when I realized that my “relatives” weren’t related to me at all. And then realized I talk to the people who I was related to all more than the people who were considered “blood”. I’ve never been to a family house where I have considered them perfect, every family has their personal issues as well as their own strength.

Family has so many different meanings to every individual who has answers this question. Trying to find a general definition for this term is impossible. Everyone has a different concept of what a family is, what I would consider my family is far more stretch than a typical American family. Coming from a Latin culture my family’s considered grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, friends and down to the last pet. I experienced culture shock when I entered middle school to see what some of my when they referred to family they meant just their parents. For me this new concept of what my friends thought were their family was mom, dad, siblings, and

The Dictionary definition of family is “A group consisting of parents and children living together in a household.” My definition of family is people with an unconditional love for each other. My family and I have always been very close. For example, we share all of our secrets with each other. Since I can remember, my family and I have always went on a family beach trip to Panama City Beach. We stay at the Shores of Panama, a very nice resort, and the people who own it expect us every year. We always take our beach trip in early September. The reason they decided on September is because it is the beginning of fall which means it will be warm instead of hot. I look forward to going to the beach with my family every year because it is relaxing, fun, and all about family time which I love.

Determining family structure and dynamics as well as defining the family is a complex process. Personally, I come from a very traditional family. Much like the assumptions made by the students in the article Defining Family: Young Adults’ Perceptions of the Parent-Child Bond by Mellisa Holtzman (2008). This is what comes to mind when most people define family; a nuclear family, with married parents, and biological children. However, a family is a complex system and can take on many different forms.

Family is a group of people who are related by blood, marriage, or adoption. This is the definition adopted by the U.S. government, and I believe it is the most accurate. Family holds a sense of commitment over time. This excludes friends, significant others, and pets. Friends may come in and out of your life, especially after moving or significant life transitions. Boyfriends and girlfriends are open to walk away once the relationship is not going as they would like since there is not the commitment of marriage. Yet, family is bound by one of the initial criteria through all stages and circumstances of life. You may have very close friends that feel like family, but the feeling along

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

There are many different ways to define the word family, which makes it difficult to create a true definition. I believe that all families are unique in the ways they communicate, grow, nurture, support and express cultures. My family is a traditional nuclear family that means the family consists of two parents and their children. In my family, I am the eldest sibling which means I am responsible for being a role model and mentor for my younger sibling. My family is known for being considerate through our daily actions. A specific incident that shows our consideration is when we helped nurse a sick dog back to health. I am glad to be a part of my amazing family.

In the early stages of a child’s character development, the family is the first social group that the child has. The relationship that is fostered between the family and the child is important, because it is the role of the family that influences the child’s behavior. Although the child may be influenced by the father and siblings, these relationships are looked to second. The child realizes early that the family belongs to him. This leads to jealousy towards other siblings because he may strive to be significant, and establish a position of superiority. Once the child comes to trust the family, it no longer feels threatened. By fostering a good relationship with the family, the child develops trust which leads to the child developing

For most of us, the family is considered as a well-known and comfortable institution. The perfect model of the ‘ideal’ family is still mostly considered to be consisted from two different sexes’ parents, and one or more children. Until quite recently, the sociology of the family was mostly functionalist and just in the last few decades has been challenged from various directions.

A family can be defined in many ways, but the common denominator in all is the love and fulfillment one gets by being surrounded by family members. Families can sometimes be at odds with each other, but the strain of this type of relationship usually creates an upsetting feeling to the people involved. People want others to rely on, talk to, do things with, share, love, embrace, and be part of. No matter what the family dynamic is the qualities the word family has will remain the same, as time goes by, and life evolves once again for every person living their