Defining Family Social Sciences Coursework Research

Defining Family: Coursework 
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Defining Family
A family is a group or association of people who share varied features such as mutual links, emotional connections, blood ties, marriage, living or residing together, birth and adoption, among other family-defining traits. The definition of a family is somewhat controversial due to its subjectivity regarding the features that define a family. Any definition based on a given family feature or characteristics leads to positive and negative outcomes that may affect people.
A family is one of the social constructs, and despite being a standard feature around many communities globally, the understanding of what the term ‘family’ means remains inconclusive. The concept of what constitutes a family has been a subject of contestation and never-ending debates. The idea of the family theme and its understanding is intricately linked to social culture. The dynamic and diverse feature of cultures makes it challenging to gain consensus on a family definition.
Many people and diverse groups define the family differently. Even socialists and scholars have expressed varied opinions and reservations on the family definition (Ncfr.org.). The emergence of various social associations and constructs has complicated the understanding of a family. Thus, the issue of family denotes varied meanings. However, most social researchers deploy family characteristics to define family, though these features are sometimes insufficient to support family understanding (Ncfr.org.). The family may mean an institution comprised of two people married, who can be of homogenous or heterogeneous sex. Sociologists often emphasize marriage and family as social constructs because marriages establish a family, which become the fundamental social units that make up society. Societies sanction the concept of marriage and family. In light of these, what could be the definition of a family? Is it only about its association with marriage unions?
Family definitions come in diverse understandings. It could be an association of husband, wife, children, plus even a pet. It could be comprised of people with same-sex with or without adopted children. It can also mean polygamy, where there is the practice of marrying mu...