Written by Hannah Lemiski, Digital Communications Coordinator
What does ‘family’ mean to you? For a large majority of us, family is our blood-relatives; mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters. But for others, the term ‘family’ takes on a very different meaning.
A found family, or chosen family, is a group of people who love and support one another regardless of genetic relation. Creating a circle of people built upon shared experiences and mutual trust forms a family of its own, and is a powerful gesture given that not everyone has a family they can rely on in the traditional sense of the word.
The found family trope is common in movies and television (think the fellowship in Lord of the Rings or the unlikely bonds formed by the characters in The Office). When it comes to found families, it’s not uncommon that several of the members have been abandoned in some sense by their biological relatives, or have a history of turbulent upbringings—whether through neglect, loss, or falling-out—thus leading them to search elsewhere for deep and fulfilling connections with others. Another reason one might gravitate towards a found family is due to a lack of acceptance or ostracization from their biological family, potentially because of religious or social differences. In such cases, creating a family of their own—comprised of individuals who love and accept them for who they are—is an invaluable experience.
Societal expectations also play a big role in how we view family. The pressure to have a perfect or “nuclear” family—two married parents and one or more children living in a single household—still remains high, despite efforts to normalize alternate family structures. With that said, it’s no surprise that days like Family Day can be especially difficult for those who don’t fit into a prototypical family model.
If you can relate to this, it’s important to remember that you can still have a meaningful and fulfilling Family Day by celebrating your found family, or those who have shown you support in the same way, if not in more ways, than your biological family. Family can be mentors, caregivers, and friends. Family can also be the people we share spaces with – whether through physical housing, work, hobbies, or clubs. Regardless of how and where you find them, found families have a special bond of love and kinship, and also deserve to be recognized and celebrated on Family Day.
Many of the clients at Wood’s Homes have created chosen families within their programs, since several do not have families of their own, or families that they can rely on. “Family” in their case becomes the network of staff and support workers who care for them as a traditional family would. Foster families also function within the found family realm – a family formed by loving and caring for one another outside of a genetic relationship. The foster families at Wood’s Homes come from a variety of backgrounds, but they all share one purpose: to provide safety, support, and stability to children who have experienced trauma and cannot live with their guardians.
Today—Family Day—we at Wood’s Homes are grateful to be celebrating the diverse family structures that function within our programs and services. Whether you are spending Family Day with your relatives or your found family, we wish you a restful day filled with love, support, and connection.
