International Day of Families

“I sustain myself with the love of family.” – Maya Angelou

What is a family? Is it parents and siblings? Does it include aunts, uncles, cousins, or grandparents?

Whatever your definition, families should be celebrated!

Established by the UN in 1993, the International Day of Families is held every year on May 15. The day was created to focus on the importance of families and to urge governments to support families so they can survive and flourish.

Family affects everything. A family’s role is to protect and care for its members, provide for them, and even educate them. People who come from stable families can then go on to build strong societies.

When families thrive, we all do!

Now that we’ve talked about why families are important, let’s examine a few different types.

Nuclear

A nuclear family consists of two parents raising their children (biological or adopted) in one home. Though nuclear families are becoming less common, the majority of children around the world still live in this type of family.

Extended

An extended family is made up of more relatives than just parents and children: aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, nieces, and nephews are all part of an extended family.

Single-parent

A single-parent family consists of one parent raising a child, or children, alone. A few reasons for this family structure are divorce, the death of a spouse, or simply a choice not to get married.

Grandparent / kinship care

Sometimes, raising children is the responsibility of grandparents, other relatives, or a family friend. This situation arises when the children’s parents are unable to care for them (for financial reasons, for example).

Step

A stepfamily is formed when two people begin to cohabit and at least one of them already has a child or children. This is also known as a blended family.

Childless

Consisting of a couple who live together and have no children, childless families are sometimes disregarded. However, these families protect and care for each other just like any other type.

Families come in different shapes and sizes, but they’re all equally important. On May 15, take a minute to appreciate all families.

International Day of Families Comprehension

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