Why ‘Family’ is a Subjective Concept in this Prejudiced World

Most of us have been born & brought up within the comfort of our homes, beautiful in their own, elegant ways. We’ve been on the receiving end of love & warmth, protection & guardianship, & have been trained to serve our families, no matter what.

However, the concept of family fades away the moment you fall into a distress, isn’t that right?

We’ve always been taught since we were toddlers that families are supposed to stick together even through torrid times. But the moment things spiral downhill, our own parents seem to ignore the notion that they’ve been preaching all this while!

Oh, don’t get me wrong! Even today, there are families which stick together no matter what. Just like the Romanovs of Russia did way back in the 17th century. They were known to endure several revolutions & periods of political instability; however, they remained resilient, as a family should be. They supported each other even when the times were tough.

On the other hand, they’re also a prodigious example of how internal strife within a family can lead to an entire empire’s downfall. Their love for one another was strong only until a certain generation. This showcases a subsequent transgression in their family values & culture.

Families are like the branches on a tree; we grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one.

Is that true?

Family is a highly subjective notion, with nuances beyond the comprehension of the ordinary man. Even though they say that blood is thicker than water, I personally beg to differ, as I’ve seen plenty of cases wherein families have disowned their own blood as the latter exercised their rights & followed their own path of dreams.

Children have been forced to dissociate from their families due to their sexual orientation, gender, likes & dislikes, choices of career…the list is endless. My own grandparents weren’t happy that I was born. They had some eccentric, preconceived presumptions of me being born as a ‘second child’ in the family. My very own father had been a victim of their thoughtless mentality, him also being the second child in his family.

By family, I’m talking about our immediate blood. Our relatives come next in line, with their own set of prejudiced conceptions. No matter how friendly your family might seem to be, the real test begins when you’re down in the dumps & need their support.

I’ve received far greater help from unknown, random strangers, than my very own relatives. They turned their heads when my parents & I needed genuine help. They even curated a list of excuses that they would present the moment they saw our faces. Are they really our family? I don’t think so.

And my family? What can I say, they have been a constant pillar of my life. They’ve stood by me when I was down in the dumps, & praised me when I touched the skies. They are always there for me, no matter what. Yes, we all make mistakes. But what’s important is forgiving our loved ones & moving forward in life.

Families are not born based on blood, race, or gender; they’re born out of mutual understanding.

Families are not born only out of love & affection for each other; they’re born out of the sacrifices that we’re willing to make for each other.

To me, the concept of family is highly idiosyncratic. What might be an ideal definition of family to me might not seem ‘so’ ideal to you.

We all have our own set of peculiarities, & I believe embracing them with open arms is what bonds a family.

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