family

Princess Ivy · 09-17-2005, 11:52 AM

what does the word family mean to you. to me it's me and my kids and my mom. but sociologically it seems to mean mom dad and two point four children, unless otherwise defined.
BTW: i've got my first psyc essay to write, and its on, the family (i won't be more specific than that, i'm not asking you to do my homework for me, it's done already, but it has made me thing, and i'm really interested in the views of others on this subject.

Winters_Sorrow · 09-17-2005, 12:03 PM

Family to me just means blood-relative or through marriage.

My close friends can nudge family members into second place sometimes, though - especially some of my extended family

Leto · 09-17-2005, 02:52 PM

Family is the people who can't let you down and who you can't let them down no matter what happens, and no matter what is your current feelings about them.

littlemissattitude · 09-17-2005, 06:53 PM

I think I probably have a much looser definition of family than most people, but in general I believe that family is any group that mutually decides that they are a family. Therefore, my family includeds not only blood relations but also good friends who have become more than that.

09-18-2005, 01:08 AM

"Family" is mostly just blood relations for me. The occasional very good "family friend" will get included too.

Really good friends I wouldn't classify as family. Just as friends...

Leto · 09-19-2005, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlemissattitude

I think I probably have a much looser definition of family than most people, but in general I believe that family is any group that mutually decides that they are a family.* Therefore, my family includeds not only blood relations but also good friends who have become more than that.

I agree blood relation is not a valid element in family. But I'm not sure it's a decision to be a family, it's more a state of fact : some people - blood related or not - are bound to help you in time of need, and you are bound to help them too.

09-19-2005, 05:12 PM

Family is the group of people who are there for you and for whom you are there...blood relations or not. It's also the group of people who can embarrass you the most, make you the happiest or the saddest...

littlemissattitude · 09-20-2005, 02:56 AM

As usual, dwndrgn, you said what I meant much better than I could ever have said it. :biggrin:

09-20-2005, 04:04 PM

Family for me has always been a very small group, parents, siblings and now includes my wife and our daughter. Then there's relatives, a very different group some i see a lot, others not in years, some i like others I could pass in the street and not recognise.

My wife, who is originally from a small town in Ireland, Identifies with her cousins, aunties, second and third cousins etc as family. The first time I visited her home town, I felt like I had been introduced to the entire town and to this day I'm constantly saying things like "ohhh so **** is ****'s cousin/sister/brother...." and then receiving strange looks from my beloved because of course I've known these people for a couple of years now and have no doubt had it all explained before* :biggrin:

Maybe the saying about choosing your friends but not your family isn't strictly true.

Princess Ivy · 09-20-2005, 07:15 PM

thank you all for jumping in. it's strange, my family is always there for me, for a while my ex-in-laws (boy thats a mouthful) tried to take that place, and yet, when the mucky hit the deskdop, once again it's my own family who are there to help me mop up the mess. even if it's just a phone call, their support means so much to me.