What constitutes a family?

Question

I am looking for different definitions of family. I know what is in the dictonary, I want to get personal meanings of how a family is viewed.

Answer 1

A family is a group of people that are close to each other and there for each other for anything.

Answer 2

The traditional family consists of a patriarch and matriarch as the two heads of the household (the patriarch is usually the dominant head of the household) with younger members known as children that reside in the same household and comply to rules set forth by the partiarch and matriarch. All members of this household love, protect, respect, and honor one another and are bonded eternally.

The typical nontraditional family lacks either a patriarch or a matriarch and also consists of a child or children. The characteristics here are the same as any other family, however, one of the parental figures is missing. In some cases, this type of family becomes blended meaning that a new patriarch or matriarch may enter into the household along with any children or family member he/she may have.

These are the only two definitions that I could come up with. Hope this answers your question.

Answer 3

Family consists of head of family with partner who shares similar thinking and at the same time restricts/controls the head from going in the wrong directions that head may sometime transverse and include progeny that follows the same path charted by the family

Answer 4

An entity of a parent guiding a child and supporting a child.
I don't believe a family is viewed as completely without a little one in the mix.

Answer 5

An exvellent question a family is people that care about each other it could be people like jusband and wife or it could be more than 2 it could be immidiate family that are related or it could be people not related like a church family. I hope this might answer your question

Answer 6

A family can be anyone that you feel close to. I typically refer to them as my extended family. I have blood relatives and I have people that I have such a close bond with that I call them my brother or sister. I think family is a step above a friend, someone you feel strongly enough about to bring into your circle of trust. Would you like to be part of our family?

Answer 7

Family is a group of people who know you as well as you know yourself, and still love you. They have seen you at your very worst ( and you let them see you that way ) and didn't turn away. They accept you and love you without question. There is no expiration date on your relationship: it is for ever. People united by unconditional love and acceptance are called family ( in my book anyway ).

Answer 8

A family is the first constituent unit of the larger society. It could be the nuclear family or the extended family's pedigree.

Answer 9

family consists of the people in your life who would do anything for you and you would do anything for. Kids, wife, husband are obvious parents usually. Sometimes stepdad is the family though and not the sperm donor. Family is the most important thing in the world.

Answer 10

any group of two or more people consisting at least one adult. the two or more people have a vested interest in the well-being of the others in the group. sacrifices are often made for the progress or betterment of the group.

so, basically: a single mom or dad and kid OR two married adults OR a brother and sister OR two very close friends OR any number of very closely intertwined people (gay couples included).