Personal Definition:
The family is a domestic group with a lasting association, which the members may or not be biologically related. It functions as a unit for the purposes of resource sharing and providing mutual emotional support while perpetuating tradition and values.
This definition incorporates several parts of familial components. The structure is defined within the first sentence. The function of the family in this definition is present in the second part of the definition. Both the cultural and emotional aspects are integrated into the functioning of the family as a unit. While my definition is fairly broad, it still lacks familial roles and procedures, and legalities. In doing so it disregards sexual regulations and the possibility to grant services. Here two problems lie. One is that the more inclusive the definition of family, the less meaningful it becomes. Then another problem is created given that most Americans desire to be part of a "family" and want to be incorporated into its official definition yet not everyone fits the same mold. Hence the question of who or what a family is cannot be answered. Therefore the very definition of what constitutes a family needs to be evaluated.
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