We Are Family
Rina Dubosarski, 14 Ontario, Canada
One of the most common things someone faces every day is family. Not only is family a social institution, but for many people, family is all they have, and for some, family is all they wish for. In the past, people considered family as only a group of people who have blood relations, or are married, or have children. But, I don't believe that family has to be people of the same bloodline. There are people in this world who do not have blood relatives; to them, a family can be the closest people to them. A family can have an adopted child, and an adopted child is a family member even though he or she isn't blood related. I know many people, and I've seen many things, and one thing is for sure, almost everyone has someone that they are not related to yet they call them family. My homeless friends have no relationships with their biological families, and yet they have some sort of a family. People who they consider family are their close friends. Personally, I may have considered quite a few people to be family in the past, but I was foolish. Let's just say many things have changed since then. Now I consider people I know well, people that have been with me through hell, at the hardest times, to be family.
Apart from all that, family may also be temporary, people you may spend a summer with. For example, when you go to a summer tournament with a team you become a family for that extended period of time that you spend with them. You may share a room, hang out together, talk, practice, and if things work out you may keep in contact with them in the future. A camp can be a family too. You see your peers every day, and on a certain level, you have to get along with each other, and for that extended period of time, whether it's a few hours a day, a few days, a few weeks or a few months, they are all you have. That place becomes a home away from home.
Family these days might look very different from what it did back in the day. Back in the day, people had extended families and only blood relatives were considered family. Whether you lived on a farm or in an urban area, you had one family only. In some cultures, you could not leave that family until you got married and when you did, then it's basically creating another family tree. But now, as I described before, family is what you think it is. Family is where your home is, and your home is where you make it. One thing is for sure. No matter who you are, you have to have a family because you always need someone to be there for you.
Water Isn't So Thin, After All
Michelle Moses, 14 Virginia
Just when you think you are untouchable, someone comes along and touches you. They feel you, know you, cannot help but protect you. A comforting blanket, they chase away the nightmares and encourage dreams. They cry with you when you're sad. Let you breathe when you're angry. Laugh with you when you're happy. And never, ever destroy your strength. For they know you by heart, and you look at them, and they look at you, and you know you are more than friends. You are family.
What Do Families Look Like Now?
- In 2004, 68 percent of U.S. children ages 0-17 lived with two married parents, down from 77 percent in 1980.
- In 2004, 23 percent of children lived with only their mothers, 5 percent lived with only their fathers, and 4 percent lived with neither of their parents.
- In 2004, 77 percent of white children lived with two married parents, compared with 65 percent of Hispanic children and 35 percent of black children.
- The proportion of all children living with a single father increased from 2 percent in 1980 to 5 percent in 2004.
- According to the 2003 U.S. Census, nearly 4 million children live with grandparents as their primary caretaker.
- In the 2000 Census, 2.8 million children under 18 identify as more than one race.
- In Massachusetts, where same-sex marriage is now legal, 1.3% of all couples were same-sex couples in the 2000 Census.
- One-third of lesbian households and one-fifth of gay male households have children.
Family structures have evolved over the years, and these statistics demonstrate the diverse makeup of families in today's society. The definition of family is no longer limited to traditional notions of blood relations or marriage. Families now come in different forms and compositions, including single-parent households, extended families, families with adopted children, and same-sex couples with children. The importance of family lies in the support and love they provide, regardless of their configuration.
Family is a fundamental aspect of life, and it plays a significant role in shaping our identities and providing a sense of belonging. Whether it's the people we share a bloodline with or the ones we choose to let into our lives, family forms the cornerstone of our support system, offering a safe haven in which we can grow and thrive.
When it comes to finding a home away from home, hotels can play a vital role. Hotels provide a temporary sanctuary for individuals and families on their journeys, offering comfort, security, and a sense of belonging. Just as families come in various shapes and sizes, hotels cater to different needs and preferences, ensuring that everyone can find their home away from home, no matter their background or circumstances.