Definition of Family
Conclusion
No universal definition of the family exists, but rather many appropriate definitions do (Petzold 1998). Definitions are not only racially and inter-generationally diverse (Bedford and Blieszner 2000), but are also situationally diverse.
Functionally, arguments related to defining the family are most often dependent on one's paradigm of social interaction and one's purpose in defining the term. Thus, perspectives on what constitutes family vary greatly. The family becomes what the individual or the researcher perceives it to be based on the purpose for which the term is being used. In defining family, there is often vigorous discussion contrasting form or process. Beliefs, which frequently have an emotional cornerstone; bias, our perception of what family is, should be or could be.
In all of the complexity of defining family, however, there is a strong emerging international theme within the scientific community that is based on evidence. Variations in family form and process are extremely prevalent but must also acknowledge the dominant structures by which cultures define family. In contrast to the reactionary themes of the 1960s and 1970s to "traditional family," we have observed openness to family diversity in more recent literature. As a result of greater international networks, particularly in the research communities, we are growing increasingly aware of dominant family definitions that acknowledge its great variety.
Bibliography
Abu-Laban, S. M., and Abu-Laban, A. (1994). "Culture, Society, and Change." In An Introduction to Sociology, ed. W. A. Meloff and W. D. Pierce. Scarborough: Nelson Canada.
Allen, K. R. (2000). "Becoming More Inclusive of Diversity in Family Studies." Journal of Marriage and the Family 62(1):4–12.
Bibby, R. W. (1995). The Bibby Report: Social Trends Canadian Style. Toronto: Stoddart.
Bould, S. (1993). "Familial Caretaking: A Middle-Range Definition of Family in the Context of Social Policy." Journal of Family Issues 14(1):133–151.
Broude, G. J. (1994). Marriage, Family, and Relationships: A Cross-Cultural Encyclopedia. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.
Cheal, D. (1993). "Unity and Difference in Postmodern Families." Journal of Family Issues 14(1):5–19.
Crosbie-Burnett, M., and Lewis, E. A. (1993). "Theoretical Contributions from Social, Cognitive, and Behavioral Psychology." In Sourcebook of Family Theories and Methods: A Contextual Approach, ed. P. G. Boss, G. W. Doherty, R. LaRossa, W. R. Schumm, and S. K. Steinmetz. New York: Plenum Press.
Day, D.; Gilbert, K. R.; Settles, B. H.; and Burr, W. R. (1995). Research and Theory in Family Science. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing.
Doherty, W. J.; Boss, P.G.; LaRossa, R.; Schumm, W.R.; and Steinmetz, S. K. (1993). "Family Theories and Methods: A Contextual Approach." In Sourcebook of Family Theories and Methods: A Contextual Approach, ed. P. G. Boss, G. W. Doherty, R. LaRossa, W. R. Schumm, and S. K. Steinmetz. New York: Plenum Press.
Fine, M. A. (1993). "Current Approaches to Understanding Family Diversity: An Overview of the Special Issue." Family Relations 42(3):235–237.
Goode, W. J. (1959). "The Sociology of the Family." In Sociology Today, ed. R. K. Merton, L. Broom, and L. S. Cotrell Jr. New York: Basic Books.
Hanson, M. J., and Lynch, E. W. (1992). "Family Diversity: Implications for Policy and Practice." Topics in Early Childhood Special Education 12(3):283–306.
Hartman, A. (1990). "Family Ties." Social Work 35:195–196.
Holstein, J. A., and Gubrium, J. F. (1995), "Deprivatiztion and the Construction of Domestic Life." Journal of Marriage and the Family 57(4):894–908.
Ingoldsby, B. B., and Smith, S. (1995). Families in Multicultural Perspective. New York: Guilford Press.
Kelley, H. H. (1983). "Epilogue: An Essential Science." In Close Relationships: Perspectives on the Meaning of Intimacy, ed. H. H. Kelley, E. Berscheid, A. Christensen, J. H. Harvey, T. L. Huston, G. Levinger, E. McClintock, L. A. Peplau, and D. R. Peterson. New York: Freeman.
Klein, D. M., and White, J. M. (1996). Family Theories: An Introduction. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
McGoldrick, M., and Carter, E. (1982). "The Family Life Cycle." In Normal Family Processes, ed. F. Walsh. New York: Guilford Press.
McNeece, C. A. (1995). "Family Social Work Practice from Therapy to Policy." Journal of Family Social Work 1(1):3–17.
Mattessich, P., and Hill, R. (1987). "Life Cycle and Family Development," In Handbook of Marriage and the Family, ed. M. G. Sussman, and Suzanne K. Steinmetz. New York: Plenum.
Murdock, G. (1949). Social Structure. New York: Free Press.
Parsons, T. (1943). "The Kinship System of the Contemporary United States." American Anthropologist 45:22–28.
Reiss, I. (1965). "The Universality of the Family: A Conceptual Analysis." Journal of Marriage and the Family 27:443–453.
Rodgers, R. H., and White, J. M. (1993). "Family Development Theory." In Sourcebook of Family Theories and Methods: A Contextual Approach, ed. P. G. Boss, W. G. Doherty, R. LaRossa, W. R. Schumm, and S. K. Steinmetz. New York: Plenum.
Rothberg, B., and Weinstein, D. L. (1966). "A Primer on Lesbian and Gay Families." Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services 4(2):55–68.
Scanzoni, J.; Polonko, K.; Teachman, J.; and Thompson, L. (1989). The Sexual Bond: Rethinking Families and Close Relationships. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Settles, B. H. (1987). "A Perspective on Tomorrow's Families." In Families in Multicultural Perspective, ed. M. B. Sussman, and S. K. Steinmetz, New York: Plenum.
Smith, S. (1995). "Family Theory and Multicultural Family Studies." In Families in Multicultural Perspective, ed. B. B. Ingoldsby, and S. Smith. New York: Guildford Press.
Stanton M. E. (1995). "Patterns of Kinship and Residence." In Families in Multicultural Perspective, ed. B. B. Ingoldsby, and S. Smith. New York: Guildford Press.
Thompson, L., and Walker, A. J. (1995). "The Lace of Feminism in Family Studies." Journal of Marriage and the Family 57(4):847–865.
Trost, J. (1990). "Do We Mean the Same Thing by the Concept of the Family?" Communication Research 17(4):431.
White, J. (1991). Dynamics of Family Development: A Theoretical Perspective. New York: Guilford Press.
Other Resources
Angus Reid Group. (1996). "Canadians' Views on the Canada Pension Plan." Available from http://www.ipsos-reid.com/ca/index.cfm.
BRENDA MUNRO
GORDON MUNRO
Additional topics
Marriage and Family EncyclopediaFamily Theory & Types of FamiliesDefinition of Family - Related Constructs, Inclusive Definitions, Theoretical Definitions, Situational Definitions, Normative Definitions, Conclusion