Rethinking 'family': A call for conceptual amelioration

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Philosophy of Science
• Family Studies

Background:

• Modern US family concept acknowledges diverse social groups, including those formed via assisted reproductive technologies and social movements (e.g., LGBTQ+, adoption).
• Despite progress, non-nuclear families often lack the social-ontological status of nuclear families.
• Assisted reproductive technologies and advocacy have broadened the definition of family.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the concept of 'family' using conceptual engineering.
• To identify tacit exclusions of non-nuclear families within the current concept.
• To propose interventions for achieving equal status for all family types.

Main Methods:

• Philosophical analysis of the concept of 'family'.
• Examination of genetic essentialism and linguistic practices influencing family perceptions.
• Conceptual engineering to propose ameliorations.

Main Results:

• The current concept of 'family' is tacitly exclusionary of non-nuclear families.
• Genetic essentialism and linguistic biases favor the nuclear family model.
• Widespread beliefs about genetic relatedness contribute to the devaluation of non-nuclear families.

Conclusions:

• Defects in the concept of 'family' perpetuate inequality between nuclear and non-nuclear family structures.
• Educational interventions and new terminology can reduce genetic essentialism and promote inclusivity.
• Resolving conceptual defects is crucial for achieving equal social-ontological status for all families.