Definitions of Family

A summary of the definitions of family we have found.

Ancient Family
Family centers on the relationship between parent and child. Ancient societies usually emphasize the need to procreate and further the race. Many ancient societies--including Jewish, Chinese , and Islamic cultures--established strict rules regarding sex, family, and child-rearing.

Many societies, such as the ancient Greeks, imagine the universe as a family of gods. Others, such as the Hebrews, saw family as the foundational human element, but imagined God as a singular being.

Early Christians are an exception to these rules. They devalued family and marriage because they believed that the end of the world was coming.