Please tell us why.
2007-09-17 20:17:45 · 24 answers · asked by yperais 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
This is just an essay on Sociology!!!
Please do not be offended!
2007-09-17 20:52:54 · update #1
Dictionary definition is clear:
family is a group of people who are related to each other, such as a mother, a father, and their children.
2007-09-18 03:09:23 · update #2
My answer is simple. A proper family only begins when children arrive on the scene.
2007-09-17 20:29:36 · answer #1 · answered by ipoian 5 · 1⤊ 5⤋
Well, I fall within this category - my partner had cancer, and he is thinking about getting things "checked", just in case. Although I would love to have a child (I am the daughter of a childminder, so I have been growing up with kids around me), and my partner too, I do not want to have high expectations, so that if we can't, then we try not to end up like some bitter couple that can't stand the sight of other people's kids, or families. And I have an issue about adoption, in that I have been adopted myself, so should things come to this, I won't adopt. Also, the idea that people who can't have kids have an emotional replacement in their numerous cats and/or dogs, I am not into that either. Sure, we've got a dog, but he doesn't sleep with us and doesn't set foot in the house. I tend to give gifts to my friends' kids, which is the only thing I am partial to, and they call us "auntie and uncle", and it's a good thing.
The term "family" is seen as being 2 parents and at least a kid, in a house. My partner is "family" in that he is also a trusted friend and confident; my friends are family too, as they do appreciate me and my partner more than my own adoptive family, so in this sense, my "family" is constituted of friends, together with my partner. As a couple, not having children doesn't mean you don't love each other - it's part of life and you have to make do with what you have, in order to be happy.
2007-09-18 07:26:22 · answer #2 · answered by soniaandree 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
NO, I most certainly do not agree. In fact I find this question very mean spirited.
A close friend lives with her mother and they are very much a family, even though my friend is in her 40's.
Another friend lives with three other adults in a polyamorous relationship, and they are a true family. They share chores and finances. THey have a "game night" that they all participate in. They have more real togetherness and support of each other than most breeders I know.
My husband and I have no children but we are a family in EVERY sense of the word. We run a household, we support each other, we participate in gatherings by our extended family.
2007-09-18 03:33:26 · answer #3 · answered by ddd 874 587 545 543 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
That is a pretty mean, or naive question. I'll let it slide because you said you are asking it philosophically, for your essay. :)
My girlfriend, our dog, and I are a family. We know a lot of other “Childfree” families. Anyone can and add to an already crowded world, and have “trophies” to fill thier home if you like.
One on five women, in the USA alone will choose not to have children (nobody keeps statistics on us men). I only hope the number increases.
It is much better if someone regrets not having children, than to regret having them. I know lots of people that regret having them. :(
2007-09-18 10:14:00 · answer #4 · answered by Marvin 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes I agree, the word family as you say refers to these people being related by blood, you are not related to your partner by blood (unless your cousins). A family is a group not a couple.
But looking at it another way, we adopt children and take them into our families and they become family, so I would also say that the term used to describe a family is now out dated for today's society.
2007-09-19 04:04:03 · answer #5 · answered by karen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course they are a family!
Just a smaller one with more expendebale income, the ability to do what they want when they what, a family that doesn't rely on babysitters to spend some quality time together and a family that can holiday whenever and wherever they want.
Lucky buggers!!
2007-09-18 03:49:12 · answer #6 · answered by Missy H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi!
Well, that's a very narrow definition of family and one I can't agree with. Here are just some of my reasons:
* Family exists wherever people have a sense of belonging
* Family can include adoption, fostering, team, clan, faith and other relationship structures
* People define their own reality - one persons "norm" is another persons mystery
* Someone who lives alone may belong to a family
I hope your own experience of family is happier than your narrow definition.
Good wishes.
2007-09-18 03:57:02 · answer #7 · answered by pilgrimspadre 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I disagree:
At the point of wedlock a family begins with or without children. Children are additions to the already existing family.
I agree:
A family by definition (Oxford Advanced learner' Dictionary) is a group consisting of one or two parents AND THEIR CHILDREN (and close relations)
2007-09-18 05:59:58 · answer #8 · answered by X factor 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I don't agree.
A family consists of what you make it.
Before I had my daughter, I started my own little family with my partner. Just him and I.
The we extended the family with our pets.
I have friends who I consider family. Some I grew up with and are much like brothers and sisters to me.
I have a step-mother, her father and aunies and uncles aren't from my original family, but now they are part of my family through my father's wife. I treat them like family and also consider them to be so.
My work collegues are also liek my family. Just a different kind. I'm with the most of the working week and at these times I am not with my husband and daughter I have a differnt family at work. The same types of relationships work there... there's someone to look up to (parent/manager,etc), there are siblings you have fights with (co-workers who are pains)... stuff like that.
Family is not only biological... it is what you consider family to be...
2007-09-18 04:03:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
i do not agree with you but i am not going to personaly attach you for your view
children do not make a family love and caring about each other make you a family it can be anyone a man and women or a man and a man it can be a group of teens sharing a house
2007-09-18 03:25:07 · answer #10 · answered by debrasearch 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't agree. How can you say that two people who love each other and live together and are married are not a family? That's like an insult to people who can't have children.
2007-09-18 03:22:32 · answer #11 · answered by Laura D 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋