In this modern day and age, the word "family" is a very powerful thing. Years and years ago, families used to be networks of togetherness and love. The family went on outings together, ate all their meals together, laughed and played together, and just generally bonded. Today, families seem to be much more meaningless. Minimal time is spent together, family dinners are virtually nonexistent, and the bond and love of years ago just doesn't seem to be there. I am going to discuss in this essay what the definition of family should be with a quote about family unity, and I will also discuss some definitions of what family is perceived as in the modern world today, by using some quotes about physical distance and emotional distance. These quotes will illustrate exactly how most families operate in our civilization, and it will also talk about how the family would act in an ideal world. .
Families are said to be "the root of every living soul". This tells us that our families are basically what brought us into being, what gave us life, what shaped our values and beliefs, and what ultimately launched us towards our own independence. Family is basically what keeps us on our own two feet; a support system, if you will. Jane Howard puts it best: "Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one." This quote suggests what a family should be in an ideal world. A support group, a "clan" of people who are behind you every step of the way, no matter what. This quote also tells us that everybody needs a family, no matter who they are. Everybody needs someone that they can turn to in times of need. That is what a family should be. The scary part is that if we keep this up, in one hundred years or so, we might have descended into complete desolation. There may be absolutely no socializing with the family, and no bonding whatsoever.