Shatara Singletary

Period:4
9/18/14
FHS 2400
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.

A family has many different definitions depending on the person that youre talking to.
There is an official definition: A unit of two or more people, of which one or more may be
children who are related by blood, marriage, or affiliation and who cooperate economically and
may share a common dwelling place (Strong & Cohen, 2014, p. 552). Many people believe that
you have to be blood related in order to be family; other people believe that the factor of love
includes them as a family member. I asked three different acquaintances what their definition of
a family was and they all had different answers. The first person that I asked was one of my coworkers Chad. He is twenty seven years old and not married/dating, when I asked him he said,
a family is the unity between siblings and parents under one household and they all love each
other. I had asked another one of my Co-workers Vikki, age eighteen, also not married, her
definition of a family: People who love each other unconditionally and they would do anything
for each other no matter what. A family will always forgive each other no matter what. The final
person that I asked was my coach. She is twenty seven years old and is married. Family is the
most important thing in the world. Theyre the reason for living. It doesnt mean only by blood
but a family is people who love you for you and you can count on them for anything. Family isnt
just a mom, dad, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, etc Family is those who pick you up when youre
down. Those who you can call at one in the morning and they are there for you and you are

willing to do the same for them. Those who tell you the honest truth even though it may be hard
to hear, loyal and loving.
As you can conclude from the three different responses that I recieved, family has a
whole different definition to everyone. My personal definition of a family: A group of people who
you share happiness. I do believe that there are different types of families thought, those that
you live with, and those that you spend a majority of your time with. Families love each other
more than anyone else in the world. A family may be related by blood or not. I dont believe that
you have to have the same blood in order to be considered family. Like my coach, I believe a
family is the most important thing in the world and without it, we wouldnt be able to function
correctly. I personally consider a lot of people that I go to school with to be my family because
sometimes I spend more time with them than I do with my family that are blood related.

Reference:
Strong, B, & Cohen, T. F. (2014). The marriage and family experience: Intimate relationships in a
changing society (12th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.