Family Definition

Families are big, small, extended, nuclear, and multi-generational, with one parent, two parents, and grandparents. We live under one roof or many. A family can be as temporary as a few weeks, as permanent as forever. We become part of a family by birth, adoption, marriage, or from a desire for mutual support. A family is culture unto itself, with different values and unique ways of realizing its dreams; together, our families become the source of our rich cultural heritage and spiritual diversity. Our families create neighborhoods, communities, states and nations.

— Developed and adopted by The Young Children’s Continuum of the New Mexico State Legislature

June 20, 1990