Whitney Hall

FHS 2400
Leslie Berger
9/8/12
OPTION A: WHAT IS A FAMILY?
Identify three people (it would be best if both sexes and a variety of ages were represented).
Individually, ask each person to define "What is a family?" Your paper should include your
subjects gender, marital status, and approximate age as well as their complete response to the
question. In addition to those three definitions, include your own definition. Note: Most people
will try to give "simple" answers. Encourage them to give complete thoughtful answers.
What is the definition of a family?
Male, age 22, single: Sam defined a family as a group of people bound together by either
blood to blood relationship or those brought together by circumstances that bond one another.
The family is made from support (he prefers equal support) by each part in their respective
needs. One being less without the rest to be there for them. A family doesnt necessarily have to
be a mom dad and kids a family can consist of anyone. He includes pets in his family.
Female age 26, single: Alyssa has a very loose definition of a family she thinks a family
is anyone who is blood related to you but also has your back. If they dont have your back and
are even blood related she doesnt think that they should be included in a family unit. I think a
lot of Alyssas definition comes from her family situation right now. She is very close with her
parents but doesnt even consider her brothers family because she hasnt spoken to them in
years and never really had a strong relationship with them. They never had her back. She is
closer with some of her friends than her blood related relatives which is why in her definition her
friends are her family. They are the ones who have her back no matter the situation. She does not
include pets in her family circle, for her its only people.
Female age 20, married to a husband, no kids: Ashleys definition of a family is
marriage between a man and a wife who are bound by legal matrimony. A family has equal
responsibility, the father works to provide for a family and a mom (or wife) will raise the kids.
However both parents help in raising the children together and make decisions as a unit. Family
is brought together by people who love and care for each other. This also includes a tight knit
group of people who look out for one another and strengthen each other. Ashley believes they
dont need to live in the same household just to have each others best interest at heart.
My definition of a family is people living together who love and care for one another or
coming from common ancestors. Families can also consist of people who are not blood related
but are brought together by circumstances who consider one another family. This can come in
many forms including people who are blood related and not blood related bound by marriage.
Pets are a huge part of my family, they are very important to me but are not equal to my blood
relatives. According to the Census Bureau the definition of a family is, a group of two people or
more (one of whom is the householder) related by birth, marriage, or adoption and residing
together; all such people (including related subfamily members) are considered as members of
one family (U.S. Census Bureau 2011). I agree with this definition of the family but I would
also add that you dont have to be legally bound to be a family. I think that a family is people
who lift, and strengthen one another.

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Whitney Hall
FHS 2400
Leslie Berger
9/8/12
Cited Sources:
Boyd, Alyssa
Female 20 *wants to remain anonymous. Ashley
Male 22 *wants to remain anonymous Sam
Strong, Bryan "The Meaning of Marriage and the Family." The Marriage and Family Experience
Intimate Relationships in a Changing Society. By Cohen, Theodore F. 12th ed. Belmont:
Wadsworth Pub, 2016. 11. Print.
U.S. Census, "UniverseDefinitionsUnitedStatesCensusBureau."CurrentPopulationSurvey
(CPS).USCensusBureau,06Jan.2015.Web.07Sept.2015.

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