What is a family?

The original surviving meaning of the word family is in reference to a household, i.e., a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head. There are from this three other ways in which the word is used:

• a clan, i.e., people sharing a common ancestry,
• a race,, i.e., people regarded as of common stock,
• a fellowship, i.e., people united by a common set of beliefs or affiliation.

The two most essential elements of a family are the man and woman who together set up a household. I have chosen to signify these individuals using the traditional symbols for male (Mars) and female (Venus) respectively. Their relationship to each other is signified with dotted lines joining to the family (F) thus established. For the man and woman this family is their family of procreation. To the family thus established may be added any children to be cared for and reared. For these individuals (I) the family is their family of orientation and their relationship is signified with a solid line.