Define Family

 Shadeen

Define Family. 

I’m not even sure where to begin, Family? There are so many different definitions to that word, as well as different meanings. Everyone defines family in their own way, as well as different cultures definitions of “family”. I guess I can start off with my own interpretation of the word “family”. Family to me is someone I can rely on not just trust. You know the type of person where you don’t have to second guess yourself when wanting to ask such person for a favor, knowing they will not hesitate to comply. Family to me is someone I feel a connection with, someone I can confide in and know what I say in confidence won’t be spread around; Blood isn’t always thicker than water. 

           

            Family to some people can be their childhood friend or pet. That’s fine with me because that’s saying I consider them family why? There’s a bond there. Some pets even have this till death do us part bond with their owner, now that’s family. 

            There are so many definitions of family, how can you define it really. The Supreme Court and the U.S. census Bureau have their own definitions of family. Family, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau: “A family includes a householder and one or more people living in the same household who are related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption”. Now I don’t practically agree with that, and not everybody will. You can live under the same household for years or since birth with someone and not be blood related but you, yourself can consider them family or be considered as family. 

         In conclusion, You always have this defintion of family either from beaing taught what family is, or just forming your own definiotion. When you hear, or someone ask you "well what is your Ideal Family?" for me the image or thought that comes to mind is a middle class white family. that;s not "My" Ideal family but that's the image imbedded there. If you do a Google search of images of ideal families that is exactly what you get.