Family is a very important part of our lives. Family is with us from the start of our lives to the end of it. We live our lives with family ingrained into it, so wouldn't it help to have a better understanding of what family really is?
What Is Family?
Dictionary.com defines family as "a basic social unit consisting of parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not" and as "a social unit consisting of one or more adults together with the children they care for."
Throughout the course of this project I will have a slightly different meaning for family. Whenever I reference the word "family" I will mean "A group of people living under the same roof or in the same living space, in which most of the residents are usually blood related, that have formed a close bond with one another." (This is more of a loose definition) Meaning that, if someone like a good friend, is living in your house for a certain amount of time, they will be considered part of that family.
This may or may not apply to college students, who have most likely moved to prepare for their new life outside of their family, so they can start a new one (hopefully).
Throughout the course of this project I will have a slightly different meaning for family. Whenever I reference the word "family" I will mean "A group of people living under the same roof or in the same living space, in which most of the residents are usually blood related, that have formed a close bond with one another." (This is more of a loose definition) Meaning that, if someone like a good friend, is living in your house for a certain amount of time, they will be considered part of that family.
This may or may not apply to college students, who have most likely moved to prepare for their new life outside of their family, so they can start a new one (hopefully).
Parts of a Family
Not all families have the same people in them, but here you can see the pieces that make up so many different families out there.
Father
Mother
The mother is the one who births the children and helps bring them up from the moment they are born.
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Brother
Brothers are the ones who like to play rough and they're usually the ones playing video games or doing sports in their free time. They will protect their siblings, and they have a soft side, even if it doesn't seem that way.
- They will always be there to give you a compliment or the harsh truth.
- They have your back and will help guide you
- They already know all of your little quirks that make you who you are, and they aren't afraid to call you out.
Sister
Sisters in the family are the ones who keep the sanity. They can be harsh or snippy some of the time, but they are caring and compassionate. They will make sure everybody in the family is doing all right, and by no means are they the weakest. My sister could take me down 9/10 times.
- They are good at sharing relationship advice
- They will tease you but won't let anyone else do so
- Sisters make you feel important
You
In families you are very important as well. Whether you are an only child, or the sibling of four, you still have a role in the family. You can notice when things aren't as they should be, you love your family, and you feel like your family is important to you. Your other family members most likely feel the same way about you. But it is up to you to get together with your family and to have a good time.
Different Types of Families
There are many different types of family, each having their own structures and dynamic. In this section you will learn about the different families and what makes them up.
Nuclear Family
The Nuclear Family model is one of the most common type of family structures. A nuclear family consists of two parents; a mother and a father, along with children. Nuclear families are the best type of family structure for raising children in.
Single Parent Family
A single parent family is just what you would expect. This structure consists of one parent raising one or more children. The parent could be a mom or a dad, but the single parent is usually mothers.
Extended Family
The extended family structure consists of two or more adults who are related, either by blood or marriage, living in the same home. This family includes many relatives living together and working toward common goals, such as raising the children and keeping up with the household duties. Many extended families include cousins, aunts or uncles and grandparents living together.
Childless Family
Even if there are no children in the house there are still families. Childless families are families that have two partners living together, without children.
Step Family
Over half of all marriages end in divorce, and many of these individuals choose to get remarried. This creates the step or blended family which involves two separate families merging into one new unit. It consists of a new husband, wife, or spouse and their children from previous marriages or relationships.
Grandparent family
Grandparent family structures is where the grandparents of the children take care of and act as parents to the children. This usually occurs when the parents of the child are absent, dead, addicted, or just away from the children.
Family Dynamic
Family dynamic is the way that family members work and interact with each other. Family dynamic includes how the children treat their parents, how the parents treat the children, how chores and many other things are done in the family. Family dynamic is a large part of family life, but it is very hard to track and measure. Because so many families do things so differently, like traditions, how free the children are to do what they want, and discipline. Family dynamic is very important, so, can you look at your family and figure out how it works?
Why Family is Important
Family is important for a variety of reasons. Families help you when you need it, they teach you, they protect you, and they know just about everything about you. You may not like some members of your family, but that's to be expected, at least a little. Later on you might have a family of your own, so knowing that family is important is a big step.
Your family loves you, and wouldn't want you to be different from the way that you are, even if they do want you to stop doing something, they want to help you get better in every aspect of your life. Family will be there for you later in your life, and they will help you out no matter what. Your family cares for you and wouldn't trade you up. When you need something you can always call up your siblings and parents and they will be willing to help however they can. Family helps you learn about things and provides you with amazing experiences. So, go and be with your family and build your bonds with them.
Your family loves you, and wouldn't want you to be different from the way that you are, even if they do want you to stop doing something, they want to help you get better in every aspect of your life. Family will be there for you later in your life, and they will help you out no matter what. Your family cares for you and wouldn't trade you up. When you need something you can always call up your siblings and parents and they will be willing to help however they can. Family helps you learn about things and provides you with amazing experiences. So, go and be with your family and build your bonds with them.
God's Family
We are all part of two major families; the families that you grew up with and are related to and we are part of the family of God. God calls us into his family so that we can be saved from sin and the devil. He calls us his sons and daughters, and we are the siblings of Jesus Christ, the brother that laid down his life for us so that we may be with the Father as well. 1 Cor. 1:12-13
12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.