Community plays an important role in shaping a family as it provides a network of support and resources for families to draw upon. In many communities, families are often connected through shared values, beliefs, and customs, which can influence the way families interact with each other and with the broader community.
One of the most significant ways in which community shapes a family is through socialization. Children are socialized into their families' values and norms, but they are also socialized into the wider community's values and norms. This socialization can impact the way families make decisions, raise their children, and interact with others.
Additional family members, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, can also play a significant role in shaping a family. They may offer support, guidance, and advice to parents, and provide children with additional role models and sources of knowledge. In many cultures, extended family members are an essential part of a child's upbringing and can help instill cultural values and traditions.
In my own family structure, additional family members have played a significant role in shaping our family. My grandparents played a crucial role in helping to raise my siblings and me and provided us with a sense of cultural identity and belonging. They shared stories of their own upbringing and instilled values such as hard work, perseverance, and respect for elders. Additionally, my cousins and I grew up together and formed strong bonds that continue to this day, providing us with a sense of community and belonging.
In conclusion, community and additional family members play an essential role in shaping families. They provide support, guidance, and resources that can influence the way families make decisions and interact with others. Understanding the impact of community and extended family on family dynamics is crucial to developing healthy and thriving families.