We explain everything about the family, its types, importance, evolution of the term and other characteristics. Also, family values.
What is the family?
A family is a group of persons united by kinship. This union can be formed by consanguineous ties or by a legally and socially constituted and recognized link, such as the marriage or adoption.
The family is the most important social organization for man: belonging to a group of this type is vital in the developing psychological and social of the individual.
The concept of family has undergone transformations in accordance with the changes on the society according to traditions, culture, religion and the right Of each country. During a lot weather, A family was defined as the group of people made up of a mother, a father and the sons and daughters who are born as a result of this relationship.
However, this classification has been outdated to modern times, since there are currently several family models. Today the family is widely understood as the area where the individual feels cared for, without the need for ties or direct kinship relationship.
The kinship relationship can occur at different levels. This means that not all the people who make up a family have the same closeness or type of relationship. For example: the nuclear family is the group made up of a couple and their children, while the extended family includes grandparents, uncles, cousins.
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 father or mother 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 by sentimental bond without the need to marry. They can be heteroparental (made up of different-sex couples and their children) homoparental (made up 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. Assembled families are two single-parent families that, through a romantic relationship of the couple, come together 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 urgently, temporarily or permanently.
Importance of family
The right to family is one of the human rights fundamental. The family is considered the natural, universal and fundamental element of society, there the individual establishes his first social and cultural contacts: the first learnings (walking, talking, interacting with others) begin at home.
It is said that the family is the basis of every society, since within it adults educate and transmit values to the boys and girls that make it up. The family environment has a significant influence on the emotional and social development of people, and can motivate or condition members.
The emotional intelligence acquired, dreams and fears come from the impact of the family environment on the individual.Violent and problematic family environments often negatively influence people's personal and social development.
Regardless of the form or structure that each family has, it is essential that it function as a space for containment, help, understanding and communication for the development of the potential and abilities Of the members.
Family characteristics
- It forms the basis of any society.
- It is a universal social structure found in all types of cultures and societies; in each of them its shape or structure varies, but the important characteristics are maintained.
- It generally arises from blood, legal or emotional ties.
- It can arise from marriage or the conjugal union (in some societies it is legal to polygamy).
- It has bases of economic organization.
- It constitutes the basis for the transmission of education and values: members share traditions Y traditions that are usually transmitted from generation to generation. Its members are challenged to overcome challenges and difficulties together.
Family values
Values are qualities, principles or virtues that an individual develops and that are important for their personal and social growth. There is a series of fundamental values that it is important for all families to transmit to their sons and daughters for the harmonious development of the family and society.
- Affected. 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.
- Understanding. It involves putting yourself in the place of the other to understand their actions and their emotions. It is an important value to pass on, as children learn the differences between others and accept them.
- I respect for individuality. It implies respecting the decisions and ways of acting of others without judging them and taking into account the Liberty. It is a key value for every human relationship. Respect for differences within the family creates a environment healthy and challenging.
- Commitment. It implies having the actions of all its members since the coexistence harmonic within the family structure depends on that commitment. It is important to become aware of the importance of collaborating with the 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 mind.
- Communication. It is the basis of all social relationships, therefore, it is a key value within the family. Listen to the opinions of others, convey concerns and share experiences It is important to maintain a balance within the family and make all members feel part of it.
- Justice. It implies giving what corresponds to each one and it is important so that all the members of a family feel part of it.
- Tolerance. It implies respecting the opinions, ideas or actions of other family members, even if they do not coincide with your own.
- Honesty. It implies using the truth at all times to develop environments of communication, respect and justice. Honesty is one of the most important values to create ties that are based on fidelity and in confidence.