♔ 260

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Lately it's become apparent that several of our newer non-human members are from species that don't have families, nor do they particularly understand what they are. As someone with quite a bit of experience with the various forms that they can take, I've decided to take it upon myself to write up an explanation of some of the most common family ties.

You're welcome.

Mother: A woman who is significantly older than you, and takes it upon herself to protect care for you in some way. Often, your mother is your direct genetic female ancestor, but that isn't always the case. If you dislike your biological mother, you can break ties with them, and either choose a new one or go it alone. Good mothers are nurturing, but don't weaken their children or allow them to turn into spineless babies. If they have multiple children, they aren't allowed to choose favorites (though when they do, they inevitably pick the wrong one).

Father: A man who is significantly older than you. I admittedly don't have as much knowledge about fathers-- my own was appropriately authoritarian, but I'll concede that it might be possible to be a good father in other ways, too. (However, if the father is overly nurturing, any mother figure should be more domineering, in order to better balance out a child's upbringing. In my experience, an incredibly strict and difficult childhood is an important part of raising strong children, but there are times when a parent goes too far. For example, fathers should not attempt to kill their children if they don't deserve it.) As with mothers, fathers are generally genetically related to you, but the option of disowning or adoption is available for them too.

Children: Anybody significantly younger than you that you feel particularly parental towards. Often, but not always, genetic descendants. I've never had children myself, so I can't offer much personal experience here.

Siblings: By far the most varied familial category, siblings can have an intense and antagonistic rivalry, an incredibly close bond, or anything that falls somewhere in between. Those who are close will protect and care for each other; those who are enemies might try to kill each other. This is all normal.

Spouse: The person you marry-- that is, tie yourself to romantically. Ideally, this is the only person in your family that you should feel romantic about, but some people feel this way for their parents, kids, or brothers and sisters. This is heavily discouraged, because it's creepy and not at all what those relationships should be about.

This is far from an exhaustive list, but it's a starting point, at least. If anyone has any questions, I'm currently lying in bed with a broken leg; I have nothing to do but answer them.

Comments

[airkind.livejournal.com]

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

It's not awful if they deserve it. Family is supposed to be a good thing; if yours isn't good, then you're well within your rights to find people who actually love you.

Having no mother isn't necessarily bad; I didn't have one for a large part of my childhood, but I had my father to make me strong. I couldn't really say whether or not it's bad for you.

[... but she thinks it probably is]

Having a child officially might involve paperwork and such, but with this sort of thing feeling is more important.

And sometimes siblings trying to kill each other is normal. Like I said, it depends on the type of relationship. My former brother and I tried to kill each other several times, for example, but I would never even consider hurting my sister.

[knittedfluthlu.livejournal.com]

[fair-weasley.livejournal.com]

Kill each other is a bit far. Me and my brothers fight sometimes but not in a trying to kill each other way.

Sucks that you don't have a mum, though. What happened to her?

[fruitfultempo.livejournal.com]

Family can be defined however you like, John. It doesn't have to be by blood, but it doesn't have to be by feeling, either. But no, very seldom does family kill each other. Even one you make yourself, and even the one you're born with. Not having a piece, like a mother or father or sibling, doesn't make your family wrong. It just makes yours different. Different is good, if you let it be.

[trinities]

I don't have parents at all! I just have my big brothers. And we fight aaaaall the time but we don't actually wanna kill each other, that would be retarded.

[pandorabox]

Here's a hint: never take what Zuly-chan says at face value.

[glubspeak.livejournal.com]

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Of course you can.

[video]

[primary-concern.livejournal.com]

Uh...sounds like you came from a pretty...interesting family.

[video]

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

I'm happy with the one I have now. It's actually quite "normal" by most Earth standards.

[breakhisknees.livejournal.com]

That's not at all how that happens.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

You aren't allowed in this post.

[Video]

[4daladies.livejournal.com]

[That's...a fairly cynical view on family values.

Have a head shake.]

[Video]

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Oh?

[hammertimes.livejournal.com]

Are all mortal families like this? [yep, that is judging in his voice.]

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Not all. As I said, this isn't exhaustive.

[xxxing.livejournal.com]

Wow, you are one cra-a-a-aaaaazy bitch, Princess. How much more wrong can you get it?

[never mind that she doesn't exactly have a perfect grasp on family either...]

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Do you have any idea how hypocritical you are?

[copywheels.livejournal.com]

I can't say that I disagree with some of that, but it doesn't really sound like the standard family to me. Maybe you shouldn't be trying to introduce other species to it like that.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"Standard" is a difficult thing to have for family. They're all very different.

[dulacaun.livejournal.com]

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Sometimes they are, but certainly not always. Most people stay with their original families, but it's far from a requirement.

[knittedfluthlu.livejournal.com]

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

If I tried to cover all eventualities, I'd be here forever.

Why do you dislike your mother?

[energybends]

What counts as feeling parental? Can animals be children?

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

... That sounds ridiculous, but I suppose so. Probably only if they're sentient.

[pandorabox]

... oi. Good parents don't have to be strict or make childhood difficult for their kids. I think you might have a few things wrong, here.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

By your experience, maybe.

[swordplaying.livejournal.com]

I actually kinda agree. I don't see what's wrong?

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

The people who are overreactinig are silly.

[hislostlover.livejournal.com]

You've provoked quite a response, Azula.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

No kidding. Most people are being reasonable, though.

[delilahs-reaper.livejournal.com]

Why in God's name are you pretending to be an expert on this subject?

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

I have a lot of experience. That makes me an expert in a sense.