The Family
What is the family?
A family is a group of people united by
kinship. This union can be formed by blood
ties or by a legally and socially constituted
and recognized bond, such as marriage or
adoption.
The family is the most important social
organization for men: belonging to such a
group is vital in the psychological and social
development of the individual.
The
concept
of
family
has
undergone
transformations according to changes in
society according to the customs, culture,
religion and the law of each country. For a
long time, the group of people made up of a
mother, a father and the sons and daughters
born as a result of this relationship was
defined as a family.
relationship.
Types of families
 Single-parent families. Made up of one or
more children and the mother or father.
This type of family can occur as a result
of a separation, the decision to be a
single parent or to have been widowed. In
general, over time these families give
rise to the new union of the parents, thus
forming the assembled families.
 Two-parent families. Made up of a couple
and their child or children. The union of
the couple can be given by sentimental
bond without the need to marry. They can
be heteroparent (conformed by couples of
different
sex
and
their
children)
homoparent (conformed of same-sex couples
and their children).
 Assembled families. Made up of two people
who come together and one of them (or
both) already has sons or daughters. The
assembled families are two single-parent
families
that,
through
a
romantic
relationship of the couple, unite giving
rise to the formation of a new family.
 Host family. Made up of minors who are
not descendants of adults, but have been
legally welcomed by them on an urgent,
temporary or permanent basis.
Importance of the family
The right to the family is one of the
fundamental human rights. The family is
considered the natural, universal and
fundamental element of society, there the
individual establishes his first social
and cultural contacts: the first learning
(walking, speaking, relating to others)
begins at home. It is said that the family
is the basis of any society, since within
it adults educate and transmit values to
the children who make it up. The family
environment significantly influences the
emotional and social development of
people, and can motivate or condition
members.
Acquired emotional intelligence, dreams
and fears come from the impact of the
family environment on the individual.
Violent
and
problematic
family
environments usually negatively influence
people's personal and social development.
Regardless of the shape or structure of
each family, it is essential that it works
as
a
space
for
containment,
help,
understanding and communication for the
development of the potential and skills
of the members.
Characteristics of the family
 It is the basis of every society.
 It is a universal social structure that
is found in all types of cultures and
societies; in each of them its form or
structure varies, but the important
characteristics are maintained.
 It usually arises from blood, legal or
emotional ties.
 It can arise from marriage or marital
union
(polygamy
is
legal
in
some
societies).
 It has bases of economic organization.
 It is the basis for the transmission of
education and values: members share
customs and traditions that are usually
transmitted
from
generation
to
generation.
 Its
members
have
the
challenge
of
overcoming challenges and difficulties
together.
Family values
Values are qualities, principles or
virtues that an individual develops and
that are important for his personal and
social growth. There are a number of
fundamental values that it is important
for all families to transmit to sons and
daughters for the harmonious development
of the family and society.
 Affection. It is the basis of family
harmony. Love and affection justify and
enable the development of all other
values. Consolidating a family atmosphere
of affection depends on the ability of its
members to give and receive the love of
others.
 Comprehension.
It
involves
putting
yourself
in
the
other's
shoes
to
understand their actions and emotions. It
is an important value to transmit, since
children learn the differences between
others and accept them.
 Respect for individuality. It involves
respecting the decisions and ways of
acting of others without judging them and
taking into account freedom. It is a key
value for every human relationship.
Respect for differences within the family
creates
a
healthy
and
challenging
environment.
 Commitment.
It
involves
having
the
actions
of
all
its
members
since
harmonious coexistence within the family
structure depends on that commitment. It
is important to be aware of the importance
of collaborating with family well-being.
 Responsibility. It implies that personal
actions can have a negative impact on
family well-being. To be responsible is
to act with the other in consideration.
 Communication. It is the basis of any
social relationship, therefore, it is a
key value within the family. Listening to
the opinions of others, transmitting
concerns and sharing experiences is
important to maintain a balance within the
family and make all members feel part of
it.
Keys to strngthening the Family
Here are six ways in which you can
strengthen and protect your family to
overcome difficulties and challenges.
1-Show them good values.
2-Have a family night every week.
3-Pray together as a family.
4- Attend the Church together.
5-Read the word of God.
6-Show them that you love them.