family (from Latin: familiare) is an exclusive group of people who share a
close relationship —a unit typically (or "traditionally") composed of a mated
couple and their dependent children (procreation) in co-residence. Families
create generations —each of which gain in maturity and self sufficiency such as
to create and provide for subsequent generations.
Extended from the human "family unit" by affinity, economy, culture, tradition,
honor, and friendship are concepts of family which are metaphorical, or which
grow increasingly inclusive extending outward up into nationhood and humanism.
There are also concepts of family which break with tradition within particular
societies, or those which are transplanted via migration to flourish or else
cease within their new societies.
In science, the term "family" has come to be used as a means to classify groups
of objects as being closely and exclusively related. In the study of animals it
has been found that many species form groups which have similarities to human
"family" - a term often called "packs."
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