What Makes a Family?

I've argued for some time now that a fundamental component of "family" is children. I've argued that, from a biblical perspective, a primary purpose of marriage is offspring. It, of course, isn't acceptable in today's world to make such statements. After all, if that's the case, then "same-sex marriage" is (as I've always argued) a non sequitur. There is no such thing.

As it turns out, there is apparently something in the minds of today's Americans that agrees with me at some subconscious level. According to a recent report from ABC News, the primary factor that determines "family" is ... children. For instance, while 99.8% of Americans agreed that a husband, wife, and children count as "family", only 92% thought of a husband and wife without children as family. Asked if an unmarried man and woman living together were a family, only 40% said so. But asked if that couple included some kids, and the number went up to 83%. The numbers were similar for a homosexual couple without and with children. Only 33% thought of a childless pair of homosexuals as a family, but add a child to the home and it went up to 64%. It seems, then, that there is something in the psyche of Americans that identifies "family" with "children", beyond biological connection. (That is, it didn't matter if the child was adopted or not, for instance.) It seems that Americans inherently understand that a fundamental part of "family" includes "children". They just don't seem to want to admit it.

Now, before I get too excited over this affirmation that I was right, I need to add this other line from the study. "Sixty percent of Americans in 2010 said that if you considered yourself to be a family, then you were one." Okay, so, there you go. Some 60% of Americans believe that you are what you believe yourself to be. If you believe "Me and my dog are a family", your belief is not only allowed, but reality. So from that perspective, we learn two things. First, at least for 60% of Americans, the word "family" has no genuine meaning. Second, for at least 60% of Americans, there is no reasonable thinking. Words in general mean whatever you want them to. All things are relative, based on whatever you want to think. Reality is based on what you believe it to be. And my "support" goes out the window. "Yeah, Stan, you're right. Kids are an essential part of the definition of marriage and family! Of course, that's true for you because you believe it. It's not true for those who don't. But, hey! We're behind you." Thanks. Sigh.