Family Forms Reflection Assignment

These days, many couples are giving up their marriage due to many reasons. Economic factors, such as
the soaring costs of apartment fees and high bank interest rates, often play a pivotal role in the decision.
Concurrently, sociological factors, including the complexities surrounding maternity leave policies within
corporations, can emerge as significant issues, particularly in certain regions like Eastern Asia.

The global decline in marriage rates and the transformation of traditional family structures have sparked
profound questions regarding the very definition of the term "family." Are there specific criteria that
delineate what constitutes a family unit?

As a person born in Eastern Asia, I embarked on a linguistic exploration by consulting Korean, Japanese,
and Chinese dictionaries in search of culturally nuanced definitions of family.

Surprisingly, both Korean and Chinese definitions converge on a shared understanding: a family is
depicted as a collective of individuals, typically couples, connected by kinship, frequently including their
offspring. It's noteworthy that the presence of children significantly shapes the semantics of the term. In
contrast, the Japanese dictionary leans more towards delineating an individual's connections and
responsibilities to their partner's family within the context of marriage.

This concept of family may prove bewildering to some couples who have long held the belief that their
registration of marriage with the city hall officially conferred upon them the status of a family. While
definitions of family vary across national boundaries, the fact that diverse interpretations of the term
"family" exist can profoundly influence our lives, highlighting the significance of recognizing and
cherishing one another within these unique constructs. Nevertheless, certain couples may find the
significance of their relationship diminished over time, with various factors like the passage of years
contributing to the erosion of their familial bonds.

The term "family" is mostly defined by countries such as South Korea, Japan, and China based on the
relationship and connection between two people. However, as societal norms change and personal
perspectives shift, an intriguing question arises: What happens when people extend the concept of
family to non-living entities, such as robots or even inanimate objects? Furthermore, can individuals
declare themselves as their own family by marrying themselves? Does the notion of family remain
applicable in these unconventional scenarios?

A Chinese artificial intelligence engineer provides a striking example of this evolving definition of family
(Benjamin Haas, 2017). Weary of the incessant familial pressure and societal expectations surrounding
marriage, he made the unconventional choice to "marry" a robot of his own creation (Benjamin Haas,
2017). He affectionately named it Yingying.

Similarly, an Italian woman committed herself to self-love and self-affirmation by getting married to
herself. There were 70 guests in attendance, including a white dress, a three-tiered wedding cake,
bridesmaids (Micaela Martini, 2017). Advocates of such ceremonies argue that they symbolize self-love,
acceptance, and the assertion of social affirmation typically reserved for couples who enter wedlock
(Micaela Martini, 2017).

Considering these unconventional unions and evolving societal norms, the definition of family faces
increasing ambiguity. It is becoming increasingly difficult to categorize the cases that emerge in today's
rapidly changing world using conventional standards, often boiled down into a few words. In the 21st
century, family boundaries are expanding and adapting, forcing us to reconsider and redefine what
being a family means.

Benjamin, H, (2017, April 4), Chinese man 'marries' robot he built himself. The Guardian.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/04/chinese-man-marries-robot-built-himself
Micaela, M, (2017, Sep 27), Italy woman marries herself in 'fairytale without prince'. BBC.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41413297