What really is a family?

In an article titled The Family Endures a look at Utah History Philip Notarianni states that “families help their members survive and prosper socially, culturally, and spiritually.” I would like to take that statement and expound on it for a minute.  (Notarianni) In this article Notarianni looks at several different cultures to identify family definitions. While I find his work very informative, I would like to add my definition of a family with I small statement that the family you choose is often more fun than the one you are born to.

If families are the institutions where we learn our core values and where we receive the support necessary to endure life’s trials then perhaps the community in which we live could be considered a family as well. In my work with a part of society that could be considered unacceptable, I have found that many of these young people are raised in circumstances that do not afford them the support of family as defined by Notarianni.

As I read the "Out Home": The Cultural Landscape of Park Valley, Utah article by Rosa Thornley, I was touched by the value that the community family can have in our lives. (Thornley) Looking at my own life, I can assure you that most of the values and strengths that I have developed to help me thrive and prosper socially, culturally or spiritually either came from my religious family or my community family and not my biological family. Each of us has the opportunity to both assist others and become a part of their community family and to accept support and guidance from others as we develop our own strengths.

                I have been blessed to have had so many “brothers and sisters” and several sets of “moms and dads” who have helped me to survive and to thrive in my life. My children have multiple sets of “parents” who have embraced them and helped them to grow. How grateful I am to live in a culture that allows these relationships to exist and does not require that I feel a failure as a parent because others have helped to mold my kids. A family really is defined by those who are willing to use the skills and resources that they have to “help their members survive and prosper socially, culturally, and spiritually.” (Notarianni)

Works Cited

Notarianni, Philip. Utah State. Utah State Historical Society.Beehive history 25. Utah State Historical Society, 1999. Print.

Thornley, Rosa. Utah State University. English 2010 curriculum.  "Out Home": The Cultural Landscape of Park Valley, Utah 2013