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‘Family’ up for debate
Desert Sun / March 11, 2004
Lost amid the same-sex marriage
debate dominating headlines these days is another fundamental,
national institution facing a potential definition change: the
family.
The traditional American family has long been defined as a married
man and woman with a couple of children and maybe a dog or a cat.
But with the prevalence of divorce and go-it-alone parents -- not to
mention the bevy of same-sex couples raising children -- the
definition of what society constitutes as a "family" is in flux.
As in the marriage debate, many say a family can only exist with a
man, a woman and, usually, children.
Others say that’s too rigid a definition. They say a family can
consist of any number of combinations: same-sex couples with
children, unmarried couples with children, couples with
stepchildren, single parents and children.
We asked a few Coachella Valley residents about their definition of
family. Here’s what they had to say:
Ricardo Gomez, 45, runs the Tortuga Del Sol hotel in Palm Springs
with his partner of 16 years, Robert Petro. Gomez said the
definition of family is different for each family.
"A family varies so much. For my brother, it means him and his wife
and his children and my parents, because they all live under one
roof. For me, it’s me and my partner," Gomez said. "For me, family
is someone you can rely on in a time of need. … It doesn’t have to
be a blood relative, just somebody who plays an important role in
your life."
Howard Reynolds, 83, is a part-time Indio resident. He and his
second wife -- his first having died a few years ago -- spend part
of the year in Northern California. Both Reynolds and his wife
raised children before they were married.
"My definition of a family is a married man and a woman, and in most
cases, children, but not always," Reynolds said. "Certainly not two
people with the same gender."
Marcy Rivers, 52, of Cathedral City, has been married for 32 years.
She and her husband raised two daughters who are now adults.
"I don’t believe in gay relationships when children are involved,"
she said. "A child needs a mother and a father to help them grow
up."
She also said she doesn’t believe in divorce.
"I believe in the old fashioned commitment," she said. I believe
that you’re married for life."
Thomas Van Etten, 59, of Palm Springs said a family is whatever you
make of it. Van Etten has been with his partner, Robert, for about
36 years.
"I believe that a family is defined as a nurturing unit, whether it
be a man and a woman, two men, two women," he said.
"Where there is love and nurturing that takes place. Where people
grow to their full potential as human beings." |