What does family mean? Well, the dictionary defines it as “Parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not.” If I never read the definition I would have never accurately knew what it meant. I always thought of family as people who love each other and cannot be separated. This is because they have such a tough bond with one another. When I think of family I think of the Brady Bunch, they always look so happy and when they had conflict they dealt with it and moved on; together as a family. They do not have to be related they just have to have love among each other; guess I was mistaken. What I still do not understand is why in the definition of family it says “whether dwelling or not” what is that trying to say? Is it saying that even if you are not happy with your relation people you are still considered a family? Or is it saying if we do not live together we are still family? Actually, I have a better understanding of the definition now when I think of my own family, we are all bound together because they are my relatives and friends; but at the same time if one of us or all of us is not getting along or is going through something we are still family. Even when not residing together we are still bound jointly one way or another.
I was reading my Indian friends blog and she talked about how men rule her family and how unfair it is because, she is subject to always live under there dictating system. I personally understand and have no problem with men leading and being the man of the house; keyword leading not dictating. As a person raised in the Ghanaian culture, the whole time you are growing up you just cannot wait to leave the nest because of this type of stern upbringing. What is the point of being considered a group also known as a family if the whole time someone is dictating you around? I am not trying to say I was raised horribly; however, it could have been way better. This whole topic goes back to my blog; Where’s the Love? Where is the love in some of these families; in my case the African culture raising?
I personally love "family" and what it represents. I love my family so much. We have always been a very close knit family. Unfortunately, since I joined the military and left home over 20 years ago, I have not lived in the same "dwelling" as my family for many years. We come together at least once a year at Christmas, and family reunions. I have over the years had some wonderful friends that have become "family" to me. These friends keep the love flowing in my life when my family is not near me.
ReplyDeleteI completely feel your emotions on this blog. I agree with you on the fact that I don't like the definition of family. I have some really close friends who I see as family, I love them, and I would do anything for them. Just because we don't share the same bloodline doesn't mean we are not family. My mother was murdered when I was around 13. I was always looking for that mother love and affection and when I was in the Marines I met my mother. She gave me advice,loved me and gets on my nerves like all mothers do. A dictionary can not tell me that's not my mother cause to me she is and I love her and need her.
ReplyDeleteI believe that people should think of the people who treat them as family their family, not only if they have their blood running through their veins. I am still struggling to understand family and I am sure that other people do to. I also agree that a man should run a household not to dictate the rules and regulations.
ReplyDeleteI like how you're setting this blog up on the definition of "family." I wonder, do other dictionaries have alternate definitions of the word? I think the definition with the word "dwelling" means the second suggestion you put up here: whether living together or not.
ReplyDeleteI think I need to see more context from you. In paragraph 2, you begin to provde context from the first paragraph, and you say this: " personally understand and have no problem with men leading and being the man of the house; keyword leading not dictating," but you don't tell us what this means in your experience? How can somebody lead without telling others what to do? I assume it can be done...so show us with your own examples.
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