Family (Meaning and Explanation)

We explain everything about the family, its types, importance, evolution of the term and other characteristics. Also, family values.

The extended family includes grandparents, uncles and cousins.

What is family?

A family is a group of people united by kinship. This union can be formed by blood ties or by a legally constituted and recognized link and socially such as marriage or adoption.

The family is the most important social organization for man: belonging to a group of this type is vital in the psychological and social development of the individual.

The concept of family has been undergoing transformations according to the changes in society according to the customs, culture, religion and law of each country. For a long time, a family was defined as the group of people made up of a mother, a father and the sons and daughters who are born as a result of this relationship.

However, this classification has become outdated in modern times, since there are currently several family models. Today The family is widely understood as the environment where the individual feels cared for. without the need to have ties or direct family relationship.

The kinship relationship can occur at different levels. This means that not all the people who make up a family have the same closeness or type of relationship. For example: the nuclear family is the group made up of a couple and their children, while the extended family includes grandparents, uncles, cousins.

Types of families

Single parent families. Made up of one or more children and the mother or father. This type of family can arise as a result of a separation, the decision to be a single parent, or being widowed. Generally, over time these families give rise to the new union of the parents, thus forming stepfamilies.
Two-parent families. Made up of a couple and their child or children. The union of the couple can occur through a sentimental bond without the need to marry. They can be heteroparental (made up of different-sex couples and their children) or homoparental (made up of same-sex couples and their children).
Blended families. Made up of two people who come together and one of them (or both) already has sons or daughters. Stepfamilies are two single-parent families that, through a romantic relationship between the couple, come together, giving rise to the formation of a new family.
Host family. Made up of minors who are not descendants of adults, but have been legally welcomed by them on an urgent, temporary or permanent basis.

Importance of family

family importance — The family environment significantly influences emotional and social development.

The right to family It is one of the human rights fundamental. The family is considered the natural, universal and fundamental element of society, there the individual establishes his first social and cultural contacts: the first learning (walking, talking, relating to others) begins at home.

It is said that the family is the basis of every society, since Within it, adults educate and transmit values to boys and girls. that make it up. The family environment significantly influences the emotional and social development of people, and can motivate or condition members.

The acquired emotional intelligence, dreams and fears come from the impact of the family environment on the individual. Violent and problematic family environments often negatively influence people's personal and social development.

Regardless of the form or structure that each family has, It is essential that it functions as a containment space help, understanding and communication for the development of members' potential and skills.

Family characteristics

constitutes the basis of every society.
It is a universal social structure that It is found in all types of cultures and societies ; In each of them their shape or structure varies, but the important characteristics are maintained.
It generally arises from blood, legal or emotional ties.
may arise from marriage or conjugal union (In some societies polygamy is legal).
It has bases of economic organization.
It constitutes the basis for the transmission of education and values: Members share customs and traditions that are usually passed down from generation to generation. Its members have the challenge of overcoming challenges and difficulties together.

family values

Values are qualities, principles or virtues that an individual develops and that are important for his or her personal and social growth. There is a series of fundamental values that are important for all families to transmit to their sons and daughters for the harmonious development of the family and society.

Keen. It is the basis of family harmony. Love and affection justify and enable the development of all other values. Consolidating a family environment of affection depends on the ability of its members to give and receive the love of their neighbors.
Comprehension. It involves putting yourself in someone else's shoes to understand their actions and emotions. It is an important value to transmit, as children learn the differences between others and accept them.
Respect for individuality. It involves respecting the decisions and ways of acting of others without judging them and taking freedom into account. It is a key value for every human relationship. Respect for differences within the family creates a healthy and challenging environment.
Commitment. It implies counting on the actions of all its members since harmonious coexistence within the family structure depends on that commitment. It is important to become aware of the importance of collaborating with family well-being.
Responsibility. It implies that personal actions can have a negative impact on family well-being. Being responsible is acting with consideration for others.
Communication. It is the basis of all social relationships, therefore, it is a key value within the family. Listening to other people's opinions, transmitting concerns and sharing experiences is important to maintain balance within the family and make all members feel part of it.
Justice. It involves giving what corresponds to each person and is important so that all members of a family feel part of it.
Tolerance. It involves respecting the opinions, ideas or actions of other family members, even if they do not coincide with your own.
Honesty. It involves using the truth at all times to develop environments of communication, respect and justice. Honesty is one of the most important values to create bonds that are based on fidelity and trust.