Biography does family mean

I am writing this during a particularly contentious political time in the United States. I have been struck by loud and painful disagreements about what a family is and who should be counted as a family (and not).

It is easy to dismiss mean-spirited communication and arguments over the American family as “just politics.” However, who is regarded and “counts” as family is a foundational question we all face as citizens, community members, and family members ourselves.

Meanings of Family

Let me ask you—what does family mean to you?

Biography does family mean

Take a minute to write down your own definition of a family. If you compare your definition of a family with others, likely you would find similarities. However, you might also see that there are ways that your definition of family may be different than others.

For instance, would your definition of family include:

• A person who is not a blood or legal relative
• Romantic partners who are cohabiting and unmarried
• The adopted child of LGBTQ parents
• Ch