Family may seem straightforward, but there is not a single, clear description of what it is. In its simplest form, a family is a collection of people related by blood or law. However, family means much more to many people, and even the seemingly straightforward concept of genetic ties can be complex. The two articles and film’s central theme is family, what family means to people and what it brings to their life.
The first article, written by Maïa de la Baume, introduced the case of babies switched at birth (Baume, 2015). In these cases, the story’s main characters have shown a common belief that family members should not always be connected by blood. The natural parents are those who have brought the child up, not those who have given them birth. Actual family members support each other despite any cases, actions and behavior. The film’s author believes that family is where people feel good and safe and support each other. From the author’s perspective, family members dine together every night, as well as the privacy of their own space. The author also does not share an opinion of the importance of blood connection between family members. The following article by Lisa Damour focuses more on the importance of having dinner with family. Through sharing dinners with their children, parents can demonstrate their warmth and interest in their children’s lives, and the children can share their problems, concerns, and achievements (Damour, 2016). After such experience, teenagers are most likely to enjoy abundant psychological health and stay out of trouble.
Talking about the legal definition of the family, there may be situations when this conflicts with human definitions. This method of defining the family has the drawback that it has little to do with the psychological, supporting, and dependent ties at play. Sometimes, even having parental rights does not automatically make someone a parent. Some parents fail to uphold their legal and moral obligations, which can result in their children’s physical and mental abuse.
Overall, while people can define family through their direct legal and genetic ties to others, there is more to family bonds than these fundamental ideas. People can even use a different language to refer to their special loved ones as a family if they choose. What matters most is that a true family fosters emotional and spiritual connection among its members via shared values, beliefs, experiences, pastimes, and unfailing, nonjudgmental support.
References
Baume, M. de la. (2015). In France, a Baby Switch and a Lesson in Maternal Love. The New York Times. Web.
Damour, L. (2016). Where’s the Magic in Family Dinner? Well. Web.