The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to families:

Family (from Latin: familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society.^{[ according to whom?]} Ideally, families offer predictability, structure, and safety as members mature and learn to participate in the community. Historically, most human societies use family as the primary purpose of attachment, nurturance, and socialization.

What type of thing is a family?

Families can be described as all of the following:

Types of families

• Household – Group sharing accommodation and meals
• Nuclear family – Group of two parents and their children
• Extended family – Family that extends beyond the immediate family
• Conjugal family – Family of a married couple and their children
• Immediate family – Term for the closest family relatives
• Matrifocal family – Mother-centered family structure

History of the family

History of the family

General family-related concepts

Family-related holidays

• Mother's Day
  • Mother's Day in the U.S.
• Father's Day
• Father–Daughter Day
• Siblings Day
• National Grandparents Day
• Parents' Day
• Children's Day
  • Children's Day in Japan
• Family Day
  • Family Day in Canada
  • American Family Day
  • International Day of Families
• National Family Week
  • National Family Week in the United Kingdom
• National Adoption Day

Family-related organizations

Family-related publications

See also

References

External links