Family Definition - Essay Example

The definition of the word family to most people is father, mother, children, and some relatives. The Oxford Dictionary defines a family as a group of people made up of children and parents. The group can be living together or apart, connected by blood or by kinship. While this is the basic definition of a family, many other definitions also define what a family is. This family definition essay gives more insight into the meaning of a family.

Another accurate definition of a family is a group of persons who are not necessarily associated with marriage or blood but who genuinely care for and love one another. These individuals will support and care for you in ways other people cannot.

The family has always been the glue that holds every society together. All aspects of our lives always revolve around family.

When we are amongst other believers of our religion, we are part of that “family”. The university community is a big family of students and members of the various faculties. A single person may unite a country to become a “family,” and we always look to this person to offer guidance and lead other people. These examples are acceptable in today’s society. However, they only give a broad definition of the word family. In essence, the love exuded within this group is always more profound than any other form of love that you share with your relatives or friends.

The greatest misconception when defining a family is assuming that all members must be related by blood, adoption, or marriage. In reality, it just comprises individuals that genuinely care about one another and love everyone in the group wholeheartedly.

Johann Schiller, a German poet, once stated that it is not blood that unites persons, but the heart plays an essential role in joining various persons. Johann further says that there are some instances where friends know you better than some blood relations. In this regard, close friends and other individuals in a person’s life are also families because of the love that they consistently show. 

A family should not just be about blood ties or associations, but it should also be about friendship. Individuals belonging to the same family should not just be forced to get along because they live together. The relationship should blossom because of friendship. The best way to ensure family unity is by allowing the members of a family to get to know each other on a deep level and enable them to be the best of friends.

This way, the relationship will be able to blossom, and folks will always be willing to spend time with those that matter the most. Problems will always be part of any household. What matters the most is the role that everyone plays to ensure that they amicably resolve the issues. Mistakes should be corrected as they arise with love and without any form of malice.

In the society that we live in today, most people assume that it is only lifeblood ties that connect a family. However, this is far from the truth. In reality, it comprises persons that make you the happiest, those who show you genuine affection and are always there for you in all circumstances.

Family is an essential part of anyone’s life. You cannot do away with family because these are the individuals that will help you during difficult times; they will offer you a shoulder to lean on in every situation that life throws your way. These individuals are genuinely concerned about your well-being regardless of your position or status in life. Their love for you is not seasonal or conditional.