Does family have to be blood related?

Family is a concept that has been around since the dawn of time. It’s something we all inherently understand – or so we think. The truth is, what constitutes “family” varies from person to person and culture to culture. Is family defined by blood relations? Or can it extend to people who aren’t biologically related? Let’s delve deeper into this fascinating topic.

What is Family, Really?

For centuries, people have held onto the idea that family has to be blood-related. But let’s think about it: isn’t family more than just your parents and siblings? Maybe your friends are like family members in their own right – they’re there for you when you need them most, support you during tough times and even know how to make you laugh when everything seems bleak.

Many cultures also define families beyond biological ties. In Chinese culture, for example, families are considered wider networks of relatives – including grandparents , cousins /or anyone connected in your ancestry tree with grandmother/grandfather as ancestors). These networks provide emotional solidarity but also act as financial safety nets.

The way society views ‘family’ today isn’t necessarily limited to those directly related by birth: some consider their pets part of their family or might refer to certain coworkers /or colleagues under this catch-all term if they share life experiences or feel particularly close.

So really, what is family exactly…other than an easy excuse not attend another Zoom Quiz night organised with coworkers/partners due overexposure ?

Perhaps one general answer could be “a social unit binding individuals together either based on genetics/affinity/bonds/conventions”.

While ‘massive’ generic definitions such as these can help form our overall perception towards social constructs like ‘families’, they do little justice acknowledging how nuanced each individual experience truly feels within the realms of kinships .Plus- It’s important at the outset to steer clear from generalizations and explicitly state that everyone’s definition of ‘families’ will be specific to their own unique experiences.

Blood Ties vs Found Families

The traditional idea of family revolves around blood ties. “Blood is thicker than water,” as the saying goes, but does it really have to be? Finding a new group or community that you resonate with can often feel like creating your own clan; sometimes found families can even become stronger than blood-related ones by choice.

Some people may not have had positive relationships with immediate biological family members – this isn’t uncommon at all- hence bonds could form later on in life through sharing life-changing moments with peers /or therapists where they felt heard, supported and valued without reservation.The sense of comfort/love/substitutional bonding between a friend who has helped during mentally strenuous times compared to an emotionally unavailable relative cannot just simply be discarded merely because ‘blood runs thick tides’.

Siblings – Best Friends for Life?

Growing up , many of us were told we’d become “best friends” with our younger siblings sooner or later. But According theories/research scientists hold when children grow up in close proximity,certain childhood factors such as sibling rivalry/stressful parenting dynamics/traumatic events within household etc impact formation and maintenance perceived relationship one develops with brothers/sisters/in-laws.. quite significantly .

And what if it never happens? Are we less close if we don’t call/text each other everyday or plan vacations spending hours bickering together before ultimately agreeing on the type cartoons best devoured whilst hungover ? The pressure society places on having strong familial bonds easily leads towards more resentment/disappointment rather than appreciation/recognition for each unique circumstance that families face — part-time adult sister / occasional brother over cheap skype rates sounds like a good enough deal (without any guilt trip attached).

However much some magical #SiblingGoals memes circulate around social media, emphasising how essential having a sibling bond is no way negates alternative friendship bonds shared within the roots of ‘found families’. In fact – finding more commonalities and mutual trust in non-blood siblings may strengthen the emotional base between everyone at the table.

The Case for Chosen Family

“We’re not just friends – we’re family,” some people would say referring to close friend circles. But can your closest buds really be part of your family? Those who adopt/add honorary members to their famly fold often refer to as “chosen family”- they are able create tight-knit communities outside of blood relationships by creating safe spaces/ rapport/mutual respect/comfortability where judgement has no place .

A Bond that Goes Beyond Blood…

Sometimes ‘familial’ friendships come about for those seeking solace/support beyond one’s immediate relatives-so developing tighter-knight dynamic through mentoring/people willing to listen / share joys-n-heartbreak-without-prejudice is quite natural , especially if someone has a tough relationship with a parent or child. Some traditions like LGBTQ community have made it more official by holding Name ceremonies symbolizing adoption/giving access rights during critical medical emergencies and other scenarios willed directly towards orthodox kin groups back home . So -in these cases- whether you identify yourself as blood-related or with roots based upon borrowed knighthood denotation becomes irrelevant; what remains unchallenged though that nurturing deeper connection helps everyone involved feel fulfilled.

Differences From Biological Families

One key difference between chosen family and biological ones is… well…convenience: Someone forced into living under same roof out of financial necessity might never reach mindset attuned towards seeing each other anything beyond dysphoric obligation whereas found families are best when built over huge slabs years /through limitless laughter/sorrow , spontaneous adventures and long-winded rants together before being bestowed term “ sisters-from-another-mister/cousins-from-another-continent”.

The closeness is not based on the necessity of proximity or obligation – known as The Impartial Love Theory which emphasises how loyalty and commitment developed through choice are more enduring than temporary genetic bonds.

Challenges to Boundaries

One challenge that found families face come in the form of boundaries. Humans can be fussy creatures – so super close friendship circles might lead to burning out quickly / bringing up past pains between members/ jealousy towards newer intimacy among a member(potentially riling an insecure fan favorite etc) while respecting each other’s privacy/time/boundaries could become challenging when there’s too much overlap with work, living arrangements or romantic partners . But it would be remissive not to advise that- such difficulties should never detour someone from pursuing strong psuedo-familial connections or stand in path of mutually beneficial nourishing growth. It just comes down eventually effective communication within’ the adult-involves parties.

With boundaries in place and mutual respect reigning supreme, however, found family relationships may endure even longer than traditional ones’ showing resilience under social trauma/crisis-. Greater positive reinforcement beyond blood-ties ensures group dynamic moves forward forever creating support networks-without-guilt trips attached-even if others beside are related by marriage /or biology .

Adopted Families – Watch Tides Turn?

When it comes to adoption and foster care; these familial structures deviate away from typical biological ties but rest importantly upon efforts done consciously/ legally via couple adopting children/grown adults taking responsibility fostering until agreed time period passes away.

Chosen families often circle around gaining rapport with non-biological people who shares space/events while at relational odds with their original household; whereas “adopting” entails promising availability for child-care letting them grow familiar/unfamiliar habits which brings its own share rewards/punishments/downside .

Whether adopting a child ,a dog or a group of teens- it’s important to recognize the significance behind ‘formal adoption’ perceived by the involved parties – this child has become an official member of your family . Now we don’t believe in scaring inception stories into new adoptive parents like celebrity Brangelina’s Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt : just explore ways that work best for making sure those young lives entrusted with you grow under nurturing directions! That said, state interference can be heavy if things go wrong; so make sure every dues paid before filing court papers maintaining legal status.

Feeling boundless passion /surges gratitude in heart ,responsibility should never feel overwhelming instead seeing as opportunity to cultivate truly accepting environments free from judgement.

Blood is Thicker than Water… Sometimes

At the end of day ; Few people prefer living solitary confinement. It seems human nature stems from desire form kinship ties whether these roots sprout out on their own or they’re directly spun through genetic inheritance/ familial traditions etc-that choice comes down individually!

It Is true ties created by shared genes deep-rooted sometimes create bonds stronger than any between nonbiological members-friendships may dissolve upon changing life circumstances while children legally adopted would experience detachment effects involuntary separations bring. But who are we to judge what constitutes blood relation when love is the deciding factor?

Finding one’s belonging within a lifetime isn’t easy but either embracing circumstances at hand/breaking off towards researched communities only guarantees realistic sense covey alongside meaningful memories away empty phrases uttered through obligation rather than genuine enjoyment.
When you have found something that works well, stick with it—family does not need necessarily require biological relations ; stop feeling guilty about starting relationships anew based on love/TRUST/drinks-behind-the-scenes/partners-in-crime/shared goals together!”