What is family? A societal construct or is mainly biological. Well family is what an individual would like it to be. Can consist of blood relatives or friends who have gotten so close and chosen to accept each other. Sometimes those who are too close to us are the ones who are the ones who do not treat each other like family should. One can say well who is supposed to determine how a family treats each other. Just to start off with a basic amount of respect and dignity and sometimes that just does not happen.
Feminists and queer interventions challenge the idea of the “nuclear family” which is mostly just seen as a mom, dad, and their children. These ideas are challenged because who is society to say what families are the ideal. When every family is working, and it does not matter the components. The “nuclear family” limits other members to be recognized a legitimate family. For example, just like “Beyond Sex Marriage: A NEW STRATEGIC VISION FOR ALL OUR FAMILIES & RELATIONSHIPS” brings out to advocate for other structures of families. Families do not have to be romantic. They can be platonic, for instance grandparents with their grandchildren, close friends, siblings, and care givers.
Families can be composed of a mom and a mom, a dad and a dad, single moms, single dads, and the heteronormative couples. The visions that exist for the ways that families can be formed without restraint is that this would definitely help LGBTQ community since it breaks a barrier of the stigma within society.
My thoughts on family structure start with the basis that does not matter what sex is raising the children, as long as the children and the rest of the family has a strong foundation the children will grow up in a nurturing environment. I also agree with the principles of “Beyond Sex Marriage: A NEW STRATEGIC VISION FOR ALL OUR FAMILIES & RELATIONSHIPS “the concept of marriage should be a path to be closer with the other person.
The media does a really important job because it represents diverse backgrounds in couples and families. Just like the Fosters a television program that depicts two same sex interracial couple with one biological child and four foster children who later in the show are adopted. Our society is changing, slowly but surely. Now it is acceptable to break off from your biological family and embrace a family that has adopted each other. Paris is Burning is a prime example on what it means for the usage of the media. Showing how families are acquired when biological ones wont accept their own.
Structure should be very strong in order to create a strong dynamic family. These intervention offers us space to grow and to accept the views everyone holds. It is not there to halt the growth within the community. Family is a societal construct. It just means that you have a place, a community, individuals who have such a strong bond with each other and have accepted one another for the better or the worst but they can always depend on each other.
