Reflection Papers

Running head: REFLECTION PAPER # 1 1

Reflection Paper #1: How Do You Define Family?

Student’s Name

California State University, Los Angeles

Comment [C1]: THIS IS THE FORMAT FOR AN

APA COVERPAGE, DO NOT FORGET TO CREATE ONE

REFLECTION PAPER # 1 2

The definition of family depends greatly on personal experience which allows for

numerous different interpretations and definitions of what family is. The definition of family

varies by situation and is not strictly recognized as a mother, father, and children like most of

society has recognized it as. Just the same, marriage does not signify the automatic definition of

a family either (Skolnick & Skolnick, 2010). For example, an individual who is put into foster

care may recognize other foster children as their family because of the encouragement that they

give each other that they will one day get adopted. Through my experience and upbringing, I

have recognized many individuals as my “family” such as friends, neighbors, my parents, and

siblings. I consider many of my uncles, aunts, and cousins to be a part of my family as well. I

consider them all family based on the close relationship that I share with them. I consider these

close relationships to be my family because of the continuous interaction that we share, the love

we share for one another, and of the encouragement and emotional support they have given me

throughout my life.

I consider such people like friends, neighbors and extended kin to be my family when

they provide continuous interaction and communication. For example, I have only met my

mother’s biological father once and he has never been involved in my life. Technically he is my

“grandfather” but I do not consider him to be family because we do not share a close

relationship. Similarly, I consider a couple of friends to be family because they have consistently

been involved in my life. We share many things in common and have grown to love one another

and be supportive and encouraging as well. On-going interactions with family members allow to

for the development of strong emotional bonds, therefore fostering communication supports

family growth.

Comment [C2]: EXCELLENT THESIS, IT NOT ONLY

SUGGESTS WHAT FAMILY IS, BUT IT EXPLAINS WHY

Comment [C3]: CHECK OUT THE OPENING

SENTENCE, IT LINKS TO THESIS BY DESCRIBING ONE

ELEMENT OF FAMILY, AND IT DISCUSSES THE

CONTENT OF THE PARAGRAPH.

Comment [C4]: NOTICE THIS PARAGRAPHY

PROVIDES TWO PIECES OF EVIDENCE TOWARDS THE

ARGUMENT

Comment [C5]: THIS CAN BE A SUMMARY

STATEMENT TO WRAP UP THE PARAGRAPH

REFLECTION PAPER # 1 3

Love plays a major role in helping to define what family is to me. To love a person is to

care about the individual’s well-being and to help them by any means necessary. Despite

conflict, disagreements, and hardships, a family stays connected because of the love that is

shared in the relationship. Within family, love is always present during the best and worst of

situations. I constantly share disagreements with a friend that I consider to be family but we

always resolve our issues because we love each other. For me, loving someone goes hand in

hand with emotional support and encouragement.

Having emotional support and encouragement is a key trait within a family. Giving

support may help with a person’s confidence in their decision making. Feelings of support from

family are important to me whether they agree with my decisions or not. Being supportive of

decision making also includes encouragement to follow through with those decisions or meet

goals. My family supports many of my decisions as well as shares concerns about any decisions

that they do not agree with. For example, my friends and my parents have been supportive and

encouraging of my career goals even though they do not agree with the path I am taking. I

appreciate their support and any feedback they may have as well.

There is no single answer of what defines a family because it varies on the individual and

their life experiences. Regardless of the definition of what a family is, what matters is that there

is a strong and consistent relationship that provides love, support and encouragement. My

feelings towards what a family is lie greatly on the way I was socialized. At a young age, I was

taught to believe that long distant relatives were a part of my family, even though I hardly saw

them. Based on this socialization of family being very broad and big in size, I now consider

friends and neighbors to be a part of my family as they provide ongoing support.

Comment [C6]: Good opening sentence

Comment [C7]: IN THE CONCLUSION YOU WANT

TO DEVELOP A SUMMARY STATEMENT OF YOUR

ARGUMENT

Comment [C8]: THEN INTERPRET AND DRAW A

CONCLUSION ABOUT YOUR DEFINITION

YOU CAN DISCUSS WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF

DEFINING FAMILY IN THIS WAY

REFLECTION PAPER # 1 4

Reference

Skolnick, A.S. & Skolnick, J.H. (Eds.). (2010). Family in Transition (16th ed.). Boston, MA:

Pearson.