I don’t there’s an all encompassing definition. Someone will be offended regardless.

I don’t care what the family looks like as long as it functions in a healthy way. What’s “healthy”? Every member of the family is a full member, with complete rights, and everybody’s happiness and ability to thrive is a priority.

A family is a small group of people who are committed to the mutual nurturence, caring, support and protection within an atmosphere of respect and affection whether or not any or the relationships involve sexual relations.

I would argue that previously in history, and still in some cultures the family is not simply a man a woman and 2.5 kids. It used to be grandparents, aunts, and uncles were around all helping with the children, and the extended family was very much a part of the household.

For me, a family, referring to a nuclear family, although I use the term a little loosely, is people who interact everyday as a unit and feel closely bonded. When there are children, it is the people who are a consistent role models and always accessible for help, love, and nurture the children daily. The gender does not matter to me, although I do feel in general terms each gender gives a child different things, different perspectives, because of how society is set up generally, but I think a single parent, or a grandmother can create a family as well.

I, like others here, don’t care about the number of people in the household, their origins, their genders. I think mutual respect, a shared “purpose,” personal identification with the family, a nurturing environment, a safe harbor and a sense of belonging are very important.

I don’t care who makes up the family. The family should have shared goals, good communication, love, and care for each member.

I have always thought that a family is about the children more than anything else. Whatever it is that emotionally supports, grooms and nurtures a child is what works. However an ideal family for me would include 2 partners for the mere reason of raising a child alone is difficult and it’s always good support. Parenting has to be full time and any parental figures in the child’s life should be there for him whenever he needs it.

think*

I wanted to add that I feel my husband and I are a family or are family, even though we don’t have children. The word couple is not descriptive enough, he is my family.

A group of people related through blood or marriage or significant other. For me its anyone who I have known for a long time and I can trust to always have my back. I don’t consider every family member to be family until they have proven themselves to me. Blood is not the only determining factor.

Family is when you can count on the ones inside to help out when you need it. [the same applies when they need your help]. I know it sounds outdated but family doesn’t have to be blood related or good friends keeping each others back. And one doesn’t have to prove himself/herself because when sh*t hits the fans he can have your back way better then those who proven themselves.

Stability, love & a healthy environment. Oh & lots of toys help too ;¬}

For sure family can be people not related to you who are always there for you, but generally it is blood relations who come through in the end when you need a place to stay because you had a bad patch, or need some money, or have health issues. I have found friends are fantastic for emotional support, sometimes better than family, but the real nitty gritty of really sucky times from a practical sense, not just an emotional sense, it is blood relatives usually who come through. It’s a generalization, there are exceptions of course, but I do believe this. I think Americans lose sight of this sometimes.

I think it at least has to have components of emotional support and unconditional love. I do understand the aspects of tough love, but it’s a gamble as to if the person on the receiving end will understand that.

Communication! I think it’s one of the most important elements in any relationship. Unconditional love, stability, understanding, boundaries and support are all important.

It has to be one man, one woman. That is a true healthy family.

You eat at my house, you’re family.

We love, support, and respect each other regularly, we’re FAMILY.

Everything else is window dressing.

Love, respect and understanding. I guess. It’s depressing that I can think up so many more answers to what a family shouldn’t be.

I consider a family anyone who considers themselves a family, and no one – including myself – has any authority in that manner.
As @cprevite said: love, support, and respect makes for a healthy family.