What does "family" mean to you?

It wasn't so long ago that the definition of family meant the traditional nuclear unit -- mother, father and 2.4 kids. Over the years, everything from the sandwich generation to same-sex marriage to urban tribes has changed the way we perceive families. What does family mean to you?

While I am fortunate to have close family ties, it is a sad reality that many children around the world are abandoned or orphaned. I am proud to support the Children's Bridge Foundation (cbfoundation.com), a Canadian registered charity that provides educational and developmental aid for orphaned and abandoned children.

Yahoo! Canada Answers Staff Note: This is the real Sonja Smits!

Catch Sonja on the CBC's geneaology program Who Do You Think You Are? (cbc.ca/whodoyouthinkyouare?.ca) on Thurs. Nov. 1, where she will be researching her roots. Her journey takes her all over Holland and reveals teachers, cloth fluffers, resistance fighters and the truth regarding a legend involving a wealthy ancestor!

As I grew up, family meant being afraid to come home, wishing my parents would divorce, wishing I could go to sleep at night and never wake up. Family was synonymous with physical, psychological, emotional, and sexual abuse. Family was a hellish existence that seemed impossible to escape.

Eventually, however, I did escape my "perfect" nuclear family.

Now, Family is having a wife and daughter who love and accept me for who I am. Family is having my wife hold me when I am sad and smile when I am happy. Family is hearing my daughter say "I love you mom" on her way out the door to catch the school bus.

Ultimately, Family can mean many different things to different people in different situations. Family can be something quite horrific (nuclear or not), or Family can be the best thing in the world (nuclear or not). I salute all Families that foster love and acceptance. For those unfortunate souls who are trapped in dangerous and painful families, I encourage you to be strong and find new loving families. Love is out there.

Sonja I ususually don't answer celebrity questions, but I had to check it out this time. Because I have been a fan of yours since watching Street Legal (which I wish was on DVD).

Family to me is a parent figure(s), and children.

In this day and age, I think the word "family" had indeed taken on a whole new meaning. For me family includes all my blood relatives and anyone I am intimately connected to. I consider my boyfriend and his children family, even though we don't live together.

my wife, my son, my mother, my grandmother.
But also my best friends, because they are like brothers to me.
I respect all kind of people and way of thinking but I disagree with the "same sex relations"
Family is True Love. All the people who mean something like that is part of oneself forever.

Bye !

EVERYTHING

Family means roots, foundation, unconditional love.

I am saddened, for today's children, at the loss of the nuclear or traditional family unit.

I think life was a lot less complex and tragic, when the world was fairly basic and simple because people communicated more, loved more, and held faith and community close to heart. The saying "it takes a village to raise a child" stemmed from these values I'm sure.

But as world powers rose and as media overtook and materialism and capitalism won over our desires and forever changed the priorities in our lives, the family unit deteriorated. I won't say changed, because that is too simple an "out". It deteriorated, and along the way all the family unit suffered because there was just so much more to be "had" from life. You couldn't help yourself. You could not chase after one dream while abandoning another. The stresses of "having it all" became too great, and along the way, I think we lost our minds, our values, and even turned a blind eye to our responsibilities as role models to our children. I really do. It all became about self gratification and this is the result of our lust and our greed. We let "the system" and "others" take over our roles as parents, or abandoned it altogether, and frankly that is a mistake and even a crime, because children need their parents, their love and their guidance.

However, we can debate all that went wrong from here to kingdom come, so snapping out of what was, and into what is, many no longer have, and some never did, the traditional family unit. That doesn't mean all hope of having a "family" is lost.

People are very resilient and especially children, if we can catch them young enough to intervene and make a difference to their lives.

I still strongly believe it takes a village to raise a child, never more so than today, because many are abandoned, abused, neglected, whatever.

For people who care, it does not take much effort to extend their love beyond their own family unit, and help to make another child's life better, to be that big brother, caring sister, loving aunt or surrogate mother. To be a friend, to lend some kindness, to be charitable, to be accepting and tolerant, understanding and compassionate. But we have limits in how much we can do or even how much one will allow you to do.

Family are people who stick together, come thick or thin, and who forgive, who love unconditionally and choose to remain a part of your life, whether they are near or far.

I think it's very important to provide counselling and have it available to our children in the schools, especially high schools. Kids need to know that they can reach out to someone who they can have confidence in and who will not betray their trust. I know this has helped my children, personally, even though they have us, they have issues at school which need to be dealt with that are beyond a parents control. I'm sure there is so much that can be done in conjunction with schools that is completed untapped and we all know how messed up a lot of these kids are.

The Bible put it simply "Do unto others as you would have done unto you." It can't get much clearer or much more simple than that.

I can't even imagine the horrors beyond our own borders in war torn countries, in poor countries, etc. But as human beings I think we must do all we can to help one another out.

I believe celebrities and others in the public eye, are key to bringing awareness to these situations and to help to implement change and make a difference. I'm sure many people would help if they only knew what it was that they could do.

My family to me, would be those who helped shape me as a child, such as my parents, and grandparents. They are my brother, cousins, aunts, uncles who were at every celebration, and truly loved me, and cared for me along my years.

My family is my boyfriend, who is a great love, and is there for me day in, day out.

My family is my lovely, black cat Luca, who brings smiles to my face.

I am not sure, the "traditional family definition" you mention is, or was, a fairly modern invention. Family used to have, historically, a much broader meaning which I still follow in my own way. To me family is all of those related to you, not just your parents, siblings and children. It includes aunts & uncles and the multitude of cousins that many people have. To me there is no half or 2nd or 3rd, they are just family. But family is more than just those related to you by blood but can also include those related to you by affection and caring. I have those I consider family, and always will, that have no legal or blood relationship to me. I suppose the definition of family changes to reflect the times in which we live but to me it has remained constant over the years. It means those for which we care.

Almost everything!

Family means a great deal to me. Finding Family Roots has been hard to say the least. Apparently i have Cherokee Indian in me. I am at a loss as to where to find more answers. I have found some but not enough to know exactly all i want and need to know. Been doing Family History for a year now.

Family, to me, means not only people related to you but anyone that you can say is "there" for you. In good and bad, will tell how it is when you need it. The ones who you know, not think, are closest to you.

I wasn't personally raised in a traditional family environment-complete with the mom, dad and sibling. I was raised by my mom as an only child and didn't meet my dad until I was 8yrs of age.
The only family member I am close with is my mom, and unfortunatley the rest of her family isn't in the picture for many reasons.
For me, having friends who love and support me has been my anchor. And what I've decided when I think about family and what it means to me is this ; Family is unity no matter what the relation, if any at all.
I think it's fantastic that people are close with their families, but unfortunatley like you said, this isn't the way it is for everyone across the board.

Family does not mean BLOOD. It means people who you are close to and can help you in times of need. People who you can talk to and celebrate with.

Many people have misconceived ideas that family means only blood related family. Although there are people who have close nuclear family..in todays society, there are many people who are closer to their friends than their own blood relatives.

There are so many dysfuntional families and dysfuntional people out there and unfortunately we do not value family the way it should be valued.

Family consists of a group who love and live together whether that group is the traditional family of mother, father and children or other groups that wish to co-exist together. Love and harmony make families work.

I find the older I get the more important family is. I am sorry I had only 1 child because that leaves him without siblings to share the families joys and grief.

The definition of family to me is still Mom, Dad and however many children you decide to have and/or adopt. I do believe it is meant to be a man and a woman and no I am not homophobic, I just strongly believe children need both sexes.

Ja Sonja get those buggers over @ CBC to come out with a Street Legal DVD, I'd be first in line for my set.

I'm a traditional man and believe in the traditional two parent family unit. Wiith children it becomes larger of course and with extended family (your relatives) the home can become more interesting.

When a parent lives alone and raises his/her child then it is as per the traditional definition a broken home. Yes it sounds harsh but so does "You're fired" or "He's dead" or any other unpleasant sounding reality.

Common Law, Same Sex and any other non-traditional grouping to me is not what I personally call a family despite the state of the law today.

Fact is we all have standards and viewpoints and mine are and will remain the tried and true traditional ones. Not that I'm faulting or fingerpointing anyone for their situations rather, I call it like I see it and thats how I see it.

Personally, Family defines those with whom or by whom I was raised and loved, blood relative or not. Having grown up as a child of divorce and having siblings from both 2nd marriages you quickly come to accept that not having the same last name is a detail. Our family was also a foster family to several other children along the way. Interestingly and just recently, several family members showed interest in researching our roots and tracing the genealogy. We will attend the first ever north-american gathering of our relatives (originally Koch, out of Germany), this coming week-end. I do believe that interest in genealogy may fill the void often left by unanswered family issues. - Hey Sonja - I miss Traders!

Family! I am a first generation Canadian. My parents, the first people of my family moved to Canada and left their family behind to make a new family here while still holding the old country as "home" (or home base?). My brothers and sisters, all grown and their children are also family. I moved across the country and started my own family. With three children, who are my heart, and a divorce and remarriage, my idea of family has morphed. My second husband and his family are my family. The man from my first marriage and his family are no longer part of my family. (for some, this is right, sometimes wrong for others) My best freind and her children are also family. She has been my support through tough times and great times. It's not just DNA that makes a family, it is circumstance also. Love, courage, strength, weakness, support, forgiveness, tears, belief, sorrow, hope, and what we do with it and who we do it with (and to). Go hug your mom! NOW!

Family is the notion that your concern for other peoples children rivals your concern for your own. In so doing the Spirit can rise above the chaos and define the order of Love and a sound mind.

In the Spirit of Truth

Family means to me a support network. I no longer live same area of the country has my nuclear family. Right now a number of closely bonded friends are considered to be a part of my "family".
The support me when in good times and bad, we don't share the same blood. But they mean just has much to me has my blood family. They are my Family. I don't think one person can define A Family in the same context has the next anymore.
Family means to me - a network of people that support each other.

Family means everything to me. Although, that being said, I have very little/no contact with my mother (her choice, she is mentally ill - I believe- and has chosen to not discuss this will a healthcare professional, hence not get help.

I have three children and a husband, of which my entire life revolves around. I am there every step of the way. I volunteer weekly at their school and bring my toddler along.

We live on a modest income, but we do survive. We moved away from the Vancouver area, a year ago to a smaller town, so that we could afford me to stay home with our children.

We receive many freecycled clothes and housewares so that we can afford to live this way. Our children know the value of money and are fine with not having the latest video games. We cancel cable for several months of the year to have more family time and to save money.

My kids know that I am always there for them.

They watched two grandparents die of cancer as I took care of them.

My middle daughter was at her baby sister's birth when she was 3 yrs old. Our son couldn't wake up:(

We involve our children in all aspects of our life. They are the world to us.

I came from a normal and pretty healthy family (compare to quite a lot of families I have seen) without any family fights and serious issues. My parents' relationship had been very well for longer than 30 years until my mother passed away. In my core mind, this is a very simple question. A father, a mother and children; this is a family. There should have no third party gets involved between the parents. Father and mother should be a pair of normal opposite sex. But honestly, I am getting confused and people seem to except "any" kind of forms of family. The interesting observation for me is those people think they are "normal" and nothing wrong. I am a person without any kind of heavy religious belief, but I do think somehow what the bible said is correct. I think there should have a correct guideline for people to follow and to let them know what is correct and incorrect. The guideline is what we are missing now. Thank you.

"Family ", a group of individuals, blood relatives or not...of various ages, sex and personalities who are commited to each other in every way, socially, financially, emotionally, psychologically, thinking of the other "family members" before themselves, sharing everything they have if need be, showing kindness to each other in simple but profound ways everyday, always expressing their love for each other in an open and demonstrative way and verbally. Asking and giving forgiveness as need be, and always longing to be together, even when life's circumstances don't permit it. Always being there for each other and sensing, even before the request is verbalized that a need exists and strive to help meet that need no matter the personal cost in doing so, to ensure that the family unit remains united, strong and a living growing entity. "Family" is something I have been blessed with every day of my life and I do not for one minute take it for granted. So many people squander their family ties for things that have no meaning. Such a waste of what is most precious in life.

I agree with Wateripple. Anyone within your bloodlines that has helped to shape your life. Also extends to caring and loving people that have influenced you more than greatly. Includes close friends, lifelong partners and pets.

Family to me is a unit that is comprised of people and animals who can support each other and also willing to receive support in return when in need, be it emotional support, physical support, financial support, psychological support and etc... regardless its members' opinion, creed, beliefs, personalities, sex, sexual orientation, behaviours, and etc.

By the way, Sonja, you were amazing in Street Legal. I really enjoyed watching you in that show.

Thanks,

I think the term family has shrunk a lot the last 30 years.
The "me now" generation is shrinking it even further to those closest to them that can give them what they want. For me a person who is an immigrant to Canada, "family" is my wife and child, secondary is my parents and sister back in Aust. They're lives are theirs and I have little to do with them or them on me. I do not understand people who "hang on tight" to family in other countries with old cultures, after all we live in the present and move fwd. There are definitely friends I hold closer than family members, I have no interest in uncles and cousins etc. I think the saying "blood is thicker than water" is a saying that's pretty antiquated.

To me, family is where you are loved and supported unconditionally. That's the only criteria in my books. Most of my friends come from broken families who don't come close to fitting the criteria of the traditional family, and we became family. We supported each other through thick and thin, never turned our backs on each other, and I consider each of them family members without reservation.

Family is the most important thing in my life. Even with re-constructed families that go along with these times. It is important to keep to your family values and keep together even in the family does change.

Having been put up for adoption in the late sixties, I was fortunate enough to hook up with a fantastic experience; my adoptive family is very comforting and gives me the support I needed. It doesn't matter about my past, the family I grew up with is my family, period. Now I am currently raising three wonderful children with a loving wife.

My family is my life and I love it. It means everything to me.

Family means everything to me. It means waking up way too early to that special childs kiss and the hug of their body still warm from being snuggled up in bed with their favourite cuddly monkey. It means waking up the other child with a cheery wakey, wakey rise and shine, and turning that grumpy grunt from under the covers into a smile to start the day. It means busy, busy, busy - dropping work, cooking, cleaning to get your seven year old to dance and it means thinking your seven year old is the best dancer around. It driving miles upon miles to take your eleven year old to soccer games or swim meets and being the parent on the sidelines that cheers them on even though they have lost every game this year. It means being there when the kids are sick - and holding them close to your heart when you feel so very bad and helpless that you can't make it better. It means a quiet snuggle with your partner discussing the days events and how you are going to work the next days schedule. It means talking about that next vacation you might be able to go on to show your kids the world. It means talking to each other about how you are going to pay the next bill when the car has just broken down - but somehow you know that you will make it thru. It means calling upon Mum and Dad when you need their help - albeit financially and them not judging you. It means free help from your in-laws to clean your house and do your laundry when you are just swamped with everything else. And when they take the kids for the weekend it means everything. Family means taking everyone along with you on vacation - grandparents included - and watching the light in your child's eyes when they see a new country for the first time. And their joy when they get to tell everyone about it. Family means just getting a chance to pop popcorn and sit down together - with a snuggle from the dog and kitten - to watch Hannah Montana and laugh together. And just being together. Family just means everything to me. It means everything.

A family is a unit consisting of a married man and woman and their children, if they have them. If not then this family is their parents, grand parents aunts and uncles, etc, which would all be included in the original family with children. A family is not two men and some children, or two women and some children. Sorry I believe in God and the bible and you asked.