Final answer:
Family friends referred to as "Aunt" or "Uncle" are examples of fictive kin, a concept where individuals are included in a family unit without biological links.
Step-by-step explanation:
Family friends who are referred to as "Aunt" or "Uncle" are examples of fictive kin. Fictive kinship is a social tie where individuals are recognized as family members without a biological bond. This social construct is based on intentional relationships, such as close friendships or godparenthood, similar to the cultural practice of godparenthood in Latin American countries known as compadrazgo.
While these individuals are not related by blood or marriage, they are considered part of the extended family and hold a special place within the family dynamic. By contrast, an extended family typically refers to a household that may include various generations such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who are connected by consanguine (blood) or affine (marriage) ties.