Three Family Assumptions

There are three major assumptions that have been placed upon the family. Society assumes that family is primarily responsible for reproduction and nutrient care for children. It is responsible for the establishment of an individual’s social identity and socialization; and is accountable for attaining an individual’s intimacy and fulfilling their needs. These three assumptions are very general and envelope mostly all that one expects from family.

I had many assumptions that my family was responsible for giving me certain things. I assumed that they were responsible for me. Growing up, all of me was my family’s. I belonged to them, they belonged to me. I guess this encompasses reproduction, nutrient care, identity, socialization, and intimate needs. I assumed that because we all belonged to each other, we were (and still are) joined financially, emotionally, psychological… we even share similar biology.

I correct myself as this perspective is only applicable to me and others that are in their biological, immediate family of origin. Many families are not made up of what I grew up thinking was a “family”. A family can be seen as any group of people who share in community and love each other. This might look extremely different from my family.