Definition Essay: What Makes Up A Family

The idea of family has gone through dynamic changes throughout time. Fortunately, literary works have been the constant reporter on this capricious idea. When hearing family, the majority of the populace might say it is defined as the typical, “mom, dad, brother, sister” default setup, however, this “accepted” precedent has been, respectfully, impugned. The reality is that it might not matter who makes up the family. How the “family” functions is what supersedes in importance. In some cases, friends can be more of a family than an actual family. Sometimes people wish they had a different family. These people want to gravitate toward their perfect, "emotionally-formed family", which has most likely been engendered through superficial happiness,

Religious and societal groups have their own tenets regarding what makes up a family and how it should function. Even though these tenets are set, moral parameters do not seem to stop people from pursuing the type of family they want to be in. Boldness has shaped the modern “family”. Families today can have two dads, two moms, and of course one of each, however, the possibilities are without hindrance. Simply, families are made up of people, therefore, many combinations can make a family because there are many types of people, and lots of them. Questioning the assumed “biological leader governing biological progeny” style of family: Why is it a commonality that family always consist of people connected by legalities or with similar genes? What does family really mean? Indubitably, family means different things to different people. Generally, quantitative features are less important than qualitative features. The quality of a family is more important than the amount of people in it. Is the typical large Italian “family” called “family” because a plethora of people live together? The various relationships will determine if they are a true “family”. Now, a significant theme is familiarity. Family is what is familiar, not always familial, regardless of how pleasant or

That was the original precedent of what the family should have continued as. Unfortunately, due to a series of events, as described in Genesis, the human race was born, ready to start its family. This “new” race would go on to create families of all types and sizes. Today, we have a variety of “physical” family types as well as “non-physical” types. Despite man’s separation from the original family structure, there are some key ingredients found in a successful human family, regardless of the type: Love, Support, and Sacrifice. Love is the biggest force in the family. Whether emotional, parental, sensual, or any other type, love is what brings us close and triggers unity. Support is the essence of what is expected when there is love. Sacrifice, the epitome of selflessness, is what is necessary at times to show support and love. These three entities of the “real” family inspire in the gloomiest of times and celebrate in the joyous, pacific moments. The world will not always be affable, however, family is the thing to hold on to. There are questions that need to be asked, however. Which families have I created? Which ones have I terminated? Am I in the “right” family? These curiosities, which are the purveyors of internal truths and of the reality that life is dynamic and full of possibilities, need to be appeased with one omnipotent