I have found

[leaningonjesus]

.... that the biological family someone is born into, in this world; is usually not the family you will have as an adult.

and thank god for the family I have been blessed with.

[Stippler]

Very true.

[Blueruth]

I think your culture plays a huge role. Immigrant families tend to stay together. Thinking 1st gen. Different ethnic groups are better at sticking together. My ethnic group is not known for sticking together.

[Megapanda in reply to Blueruth]

Yes culture and traditions dose play big part in it . If you have moved country you are more likely to need to lean on your family support , as it's a new environment and you don't have that support network in place from other people/ community outside you own family . I think it's also different if your parents have immigrated but you were born in the country .

[Blueruth in reply to Megapanda]

Thinking about it…immigration isn’t the tie although there is safety in numbers…family is central in every culture except modern or perhaps specifically US(?). I suspect it is weaker in the Anglo American group. Look at different ethnic groups that immigrated recently and compare to their home country culture. It isn’t just the act of moving.

[Isinatra in reply to Blueruth]

Sometimes cultures change as needs change if given the leeway to do so. Over the millennia, the need for blood related family has changed for many reasons. And the meaning of family has changed. Basically, for these times, I think, family means both blood relatives and/or a good support system. Some have both, some have one or the other. However one looks at it, “family” , is a good thing to be had.

[Blueruth in reply to Isinatra]

Agreed although family has usually included the community in the past. Think raising kids and crops. Barn raising. Every country has food guidelines but some use the family metaphor to explain it. I don’t have to tell you how internet has disrupted interpersonal communication but I bet the Industrial Age didn’t help.

[Isinatra in reply to Blueruth]

Exactly. We could even go further back in time when communities were a necessity. The dawn of man. Strength in numbers was a saving grace. Then curiosity and new discoveries had an impact. We’ve been “ discovering” ever since.

[Blueruth in reply to Isinatra]

And immigrating since the dawn of time. Looking at you mr Abbott.

[Megapanda]

I like the saying , if they feel like family and act like family , they are family. You don't have to biologically related for them to be family.

[Dolphin14 in reply to Megapanda]

Perfect

🐬

[Dolphin14]

My family was abusive. Including siblings. As an adult I have been able to form my own " family of support" Good friends make a big difference. Shared love and respect for each other. Something I had always dreamed of.

🐬

[Arymretep]

I have been so lucky being born into a wonderful loving and supportive extended family , I count my blessings every day.😘

[designguy]

Yes, the saying "you can choose your friends but not your family" is really true.