What are families? Families are groups of people that live together and share social roles and responsibilities, such as caretaking, economic support, social support, decision making, and emotional connection. Family is an institution with specific characteristics and functions. It has been studied across different disciplines and from various perspectives, including sociology, anthropology, psychology, politics, philosophy, and history.
There are many ways to define what makes a family. Some definitions include blood relations, marriage, biological parenthood, legal ties, kinship, residence, shared values, and mutual affection.
These definitions can be problematic when applied to LGBTQ+ contexts because they assume heteronormative gender norms, biological essentialism, monogamy, or binary gender identities.
The concept of 'kin' refers to relatives connected by blood, marriage, adoption, or other means. Kinship structures are based on genealogy, inheritance, and descent, and they reflect cultural, historical, and social factors. They are usually hierarchical and patriarchal, privileging men over women and children over elders.
LGBTQ+ individuals experience unique challenges in defining their family and kinship structures due to social stigma, discrimination, and marginalization.
Same-sex couples face obstacles related to marriage, adoption, and parenting, while transgender and non-binary individuals may struggle with legal recognition and name changes. This article explores how LGBTQ+ families challenge traditional family and kinship structures and creates new ones.
The redefinition of family and kinship structures involves ontological questions about the nature of being, existence, reality, and identity. These questions explore the fundamental characteristics of families and kinships, such as the relationship between individuals and groups, the meaning of connections, and the role of power dynamics. Ontological questions emerge from philosophy, psychology, sociology, anthropology, politics, and history. They ask what is real, true, authentic, or existent, and how this affects our understanding of relationships and institutions.
In LGBTQ+ contexts, these questions become more complicated because they intersect with gender, sexuality, eroticism, intimacy, and relationships. Ontological questions can help us understand how LGBTQ+ families defy heteronormative expectations and create new ways of living together. They also highlight the complexities and contradictions of identity, belonging, and community.
Queer theorists have questioned whether family is a natural or constructed concept, suggesting that it is both biologically determined and socially constructed. Some argue that families are fluid, flexible, and multiple, challenging traditional definitions based on blood relations or economic ties. Others suggest that families are political, reflecting social inequality and power imbalances.
Kinship structures are not fixed but dynamic and diverse. Queer anthropologists have examined how LGBTQ+ people negotiate kinship systems across cultures, showing how different cultural norms shape the definition of kinship.
Polygamy in some African societies allows for multiple same-sex partnerships, while monogamy in Western countries privileges nuclear families.
The redefinition of family and kinship structures requires critical reflection on social norms, historical legacies, and institutional practices. It demands that we examine our assumptions about sex, gender, sexuality, and intimacy and challenge dominant narratives. As we navigate changing ideas about family and kinship, we must ask: What does it mean to be family? Who counts as kin? And how do these concepts relate to identity, belonging, and justice?
What ontological questions emerge when redefining family and kinship structures in LGBTQ+ contexts?
The question of who is considered part of the family and kinship structure in an LGBTQ+ context can be challenging due to the diversity of identities within this group. Ontologically, what constitutes a family may change depending on the individual's identity and social environment. Some people may identify as "family" with their chosen community or friends rather than biological relatives, while others may have traditional familial structures that include multiple partnerships.