Since the definition of family may vary depending upon the culture or even the individual and if the definition of family is open to cultural and individual relativism then I would agree with the sociologist, historians, scientist, and scholars. So long as the definition may include immediate blood relatives, married into relatives, community, gangs, best friends, mentors, etc.
I agree because human beings are not only shaped and molded over their lifetime by global socialization but to a greater extent by the micro-level. Intimate, trusting, and binding relationships are more meaningful and influential to individuals. They shape your character, beliefs, morals and even your personality to an extent. This helps to create the person you become and therefore determines what type of contribution you will make to society as a whole, be it beneficial or detrimental.
It the family unit is not already a positive impact on the global community then it would need a significant change in its belief system of morals and ethics. Ethics and morals means to "consider the needs of others and do what there are the best reasons for doing giving equal weight and measure to all parties affected." A family can gain these morals and ethical beliefs for religion, positive social groups, volunteering, education, etc.
We are all family!
http://family.go.com/
I think you made some good points in your blog, about the definition of a family. Families can be many different things, and they do contribute to a person's socialization. I would argue, however, that gangs should not be included in this definition. Sure, people feel like their gang is their family, and they say that kind of stuff all the time, but a gang is just a gang. Its really more of a disfunctional bond among troubled people without much real family of their own. I think gang members like the idea that their gang is their family, because they want to fill that void in their lives, but a gang is not a family. The fact is, that loyalty all goes right out the window when it becomes inconvenient to a gang member. Eventually, a great majority of them will drop their flags, or snitch on eachother, or kill eachother, and that's just how gang life is. Anyways, if a gang is a family, its an extremely counter-productive one, as nobody seems to benefit from gang life.
ReplyDelete