whats more important: family, friends or a partner?

Answer 1

Wow that's really tough!
I feel they are all very important. I can't choose!!!!

Answer 2

How many categories do the people in question fit into...

Partners often become family at some point- when this occurs, it's undisputably an upgrade in status/importance/commitment, so family definitely comes ahead of partners. Wife > girlfriend.

And if your spouse is also truly your best friend, then that's a level which none of the others can match- think 1 point each for family, partner and friend.

As for friends vs family- it depends upon your relationship with your family. Most people would argue that family comes first but I realize that there are many, many people whose families are such only on a technicality. There may be a history of violence or other abuse, religious disagreement, whatever. In some cases it's resolved over time, but not always.

I attach greater significance to those who share my values, whose ideas and opinions I respect, those whom I can trust and rely on, than people who just happen to be relatives by accident of birth.

I think part of what makes a good family are those same bonds of values, beliefs and shared life experiences- in which case the members of one's family ARE your best friends. But if the family experiences were all negative or abusive, that relationship is worth less than true friends.

Two sayings come to mind:

"Friends are the family we choose for ourselves"

"It's not where you're from that counts, but where you're going"

So I'd say Friends/Family/Partners as the baseline, and anyone who occupies multiple categories moves up accordingly.

Answer 3

To me it's a partner, but it depends on the person. Some people have a difficult time finding partners, so they put all their love into their best friends. Some have a hard time with friends AND lovers, so they put all their energy into their families.

I only truly trust my wife, not so much friends and family because I haven't met anyone in those catagories that were as great as her as a friend, some one I can really trust completely, as family, etc. She's the one who's always been there for me, and I to her. No one else has had the guts to be real and true, and open about everything.

Essentially ALL THREE should be important because in the end, all three should be so good with you that they become family. But thats hard to get.

Answer 4

They are all equally important.
Although the friends should be last in the choices.
If you're a minor, you really need your family,
but if you're on the marrying age, you may or may not need a partner..
In cases where someone can't or don't want to leave their family, he/she may not need a partner...
But when you have a hard time with your partner,
the best is to approach your friends or your family to seek advise.
When you have a hard time with your family, you can seek the advise of your partner.
But when you have a hard time with your so-called friends, then start doubting them as friends, because i think that true friends stick with you even on hard times, to give you company. If they don't, then they are not friends at all, by all means, have another network... and seek those who really is there when you needed help the most.

Answer 5

Your partner. You have made a committment to them and so should honour that. When people get married, they are saying to the world that they and their partner are one, their partner therefore comes first. After your partner, friends and family should come together as the next most important thing.

Answer 6

Partner, family, friends.

Answer 7

Depends, I think. By family do you mean birth family? I'm having a disagreement with my husband over this. He prioritises his brother and mother over our needs. So I say:
partner, family, friends.
But then again, what if the partner is a girlfriend who won't be around for long?
You need to work out the partner/family thing. Your partner should be your family.

Answer 8

Family--they are the most important because somehow, they have greater expectations and dependencies that must be met. Partner will be next since shoulder-to-shoulder these obligations to family should be met through mutual contributions and support. Finally, friends... in need or when they are there to help.

Answer 9

family


a. A fundamental social group in society typically consisting of one or two parents and their children.
b. Two or more people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another, and reside usually in the same dwelling place.
2. All the members of a household under one roof.
3. A group of persons sharing common ancestry
4. Lineage, especially distinguished lineage.
5. A locally independent organized crime unit, as of the Cosa Nostra.
6.
a. A group of like things; a class.
b. A group of individuals derived from a common stock: the family of human beings.
7. Biology A taxonomic category of related organisms ranking below an order and above a genus. A family usually consists of several genera
8. Linguistics A group of languages descended from the same parent language, such as the Indo-European language family.
9. Mathematics A set of functions or surfaces that can be generated by varying the parameters of a general equation.
10. Chemistry A group of elements with similar chemical properties.
11. Chemistry A vertical column in the periodic table of elements

Answer 10

Well I think a partner is part of your family anyway, so I'd just narrow this down really, and say Family and then friends.

Answer 11

Your priorities lie with who you want to spend the rest of your life with. It is important not lose touch with family or friends, as sometimes a situation will arise which needs your help, but don't let it take over your own goals.