Some people would say that a family is defined by blood relations, like parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Others would add that families can be created legally through marriage, adoptions and/or guardianships. In today’s society, families come in all forms, whether composed of unmarried, gay and lesbian, heterosexual, or married couples. This rise in non-traditional families can also be seen demographically, where the number of two-parent households has been in a steady decline since the 1960’s, dropping from 87 to 69 percent of households between 1960 to 2014.

Friends are Family

However, DNA and legal contracts are not the only ties that create families. Close friends are often considered family for many people due to the intimate relationships between them. For some individuals, these friends or families they choose to participate in can feel more like a family to them than their biological one. This can be particularly true for people whose nuclear families are dysfunctional or toxic. Ultimately, the reasons why someone would say that they consider their friends to be closer than family are varied and can include abuse, family dysfunction, addiction, or a lack of boundaries.

Single Parents

Having only one parent does not mean that your family is any less of a family compared to traditional ones. For single parents, being present in your children’s lives is more than enough.

Adopted/Foster Families

Many couples that cannot have children or want more choose to adopt or foster, since there are so many kids that need a home. Such couples wish to give these kids a happy, loving family.

Family is Not Only About Blood

Family can also include your faith communities, coworkers, or neighborhoods. Whether made of blood relatives, friends, or pets, family is family and comes in all shapes, colors, and sizes.

Article was written by Jessica Christian, blogger for Safe Harbor International Ministries

References:
https://abcnews.go.com/WN/defines-family-children-americans-survey/story?id=11644693
https://www.relationships.org.au/what-we-do/research/online-survey/june-2018-families-and-how-to-define-them-in-modern-society
https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2015/12/17/1-the-american-family-today/