A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.
—Albert Einstein, in a letter he wrote to a rabbi who was grieving the loss of his child (Sullivan, 1972)

The need for, and benefits of, emotional and social connection to other human beings is one of the central foundations of family life. The quote speaks to the tension among Western, Eastern, and Indigenous views about individuality and collectivism. Einstein refers to the “optical delusion” (what we might call a social construction) of seeing ourselves as separate beings from others and the natural world. Increasing layers of research, however, speak to the importance of close social relationships (belongingness and connectedness) as well as the wider circle of social networks (Seppala et al., 2013).

Theorists who discuss families, parenting, and mate selection rely on an underlying principle: the mutual social and emotional interdependence of human beings that fosters family development and growth. This aligns with the private function of families, discussed in Chapter 1. In addition, our ability to connect to the greater society and planet, including those who are less similar or unrelated to us, enhances our care for family and community. An emphasis of this text is the disposition of being willing to listen and learn about the greater community in which we live.

As we discuss social connection, we are referring to qualities and experiences such as:

• Positive relationships with others in the social world
• Attachment (an affectionate emotional connection with at least one other)
• A feeling of belonging and a lack of feeling of exclusion
• Social support, which includes connection but may also include informational support, appraisal support (such as personal feedback and/or affirmation), and/or practical support (such as money or labor)
• The act of nurturing and being nurtured
• An individual’s perception of all of the above

It matters most to the individual what they perceive as connection and support and less how others would view it.

Theoretical Perspectives that Emphasize Connection

These theories emphasize the importance of our connections with others. It is believed that systems of support are critical to individual and family well-being.

The ecological systems theory was developed by psychologist Urie Bronfenbrenner to explain how environments affect a child’s or individual’s growth and development. The model is typically illustrated with six concentric circles that represent the individual, environments, and interactions (see Chapter 4, figure 4.4). Bronfenbrenner’s model shows the individual at the center of concentric circles that represent all the people and places in that person’s life. The outer circles include the community values and norms, as well as the person’s location in time and geography.

There are hierarchy of needs theories created by multiple Indigenous groups and best documented by the Blackfoot Nation in North America that emphasize the self-actualization of not just the individual but of the community as the most primary of needs (figure 3.1, right.) Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory includes the emotional need for affection and loving connections to others once basic physiological and biological needs are met (figure 3.1, left.)

In 1938, Maslow spent time with the Blackfoot Nation (link to archival photograph) in Canada prior to releasing his hierarchy of needs theory. It is believed that he based the tipi-like structure on the Blackfoot ideas but westernized the focus to be on the individual rather than on the community (Bray, 2019).

If we look more closely at the representation of Blackfoot ideas, it can be seen that the well-being of the individual, the family, and the community are based on connectedness, the closeness that we experience with family and friends, and the prosocial extension that we provide to others in our communities and in the world. In addition, this model focuses on time; the top of the tipi is cultural perpetuity, and it symbolizes a community’s culture lasting forever.

Maslow’s theory is of value, but the mislabeling of it as a theory of human development rather than as a Western cultural theory of human development mistakenly applies what Maslow observed to all human beings. Bringing theories from other cultures and geographical regions forward helps us understand the variety of ways that human beings develop and recognize the value of the diversity of family experiences and beliefs.

Social Support Networks

Human connectedness and prosocial relationships are increasingly associated with better health outcomes and longevity. The World Health Organization now lists “Social Support Networks” as a determinant of health. Their webpage notes that a person’s social environment, including culture and community beliefs, is a key determinant in overall health (World Health Organization, 2020). Public health officials are working to move forward with the prioritization of social connections as a part of public health efforts in the United States. They propose examining current evidence and research, conducting additional research, and creating a consensus process amongst experts related to social connectedness (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2017).

It seems that once we feel connected to others, a more familial sense of belonging can develop, which benefits individuals and the greater community. This research supports the belief systems of Indigenous peoples, such as the Blackfoot Nation, and Eastern philosophies that see a reciprocal relationship between the good of the community, the planet, and individuals.

Kinship and Extended Kinship

Kinship, as discussed in Chapter 1, refers to the broader social structure that ties people together (whether by blood, marriage, legal processes, or other agreements) and includes family relationships. Kinship acknowledges that individuals have a role in defining who is a member of their own family and how familial relationships extend across both vertical and horizontal lines. For example, in families with multiple living generations, there is the possibility of close relationships between young children, grandparents, and great-grandparents. Families who have large sibling groups can have family reunions that include dozens or even hundreds of people. These relationships are called extended kinship or extended families and can also include non-blood or legal relatives as designated by the kinship group.

We will use the terms “kinships” or “kinship groups” interchangeably with “families” to remind ourselves of this broader definition (figure 3.2).

According to The SAGE Encyclopedia of Marriage, Family, and Couples Counseling, “chosen families are nonbiological kinship bonds, whether legally recognized or not, deliberately chosen for the purpose of mutual support and love” (Carlson & Dermer, 2019). Chosen family is an option for every individual, although it has historically been associated with the LGBTQIA+ culture. People who identify as lesbian, gay, or other stigmatized identities have sometimes been disowned by families who do not accept these identities and, therefore, do not accept their children (or other family members).

In Focus: Leaving a Family Behind, but Not Really

My first family is now 1,500 miles away and full of life. I chose to leave it all behind, and sure, we still talk from time to time, but all long-distance relationships are hard. Now I have a new family, one that I chose. Thinking about all that has led me here, I realize it was no one’s fault—perhaps I was just too different from them. I am a deep introvert, and they are definitely extroverts. We just never really connected. This is alright. My wife was the first person I truly connected with, and when I met her, I knew she was the family I needed and wanted.

Chosen families can be for anyone of any background who desires to connect through kinship bonds with others who are not legally or blood-related individuals. The chosen family can meet, or supplement needs not sufficiently met by the biological or otherwise traditionally structured family. In some cases, people are ostracized from their family of origin and are denied a sense of belonging. Others may be living away from their biological families due to schooling, immigration, employment, legal restrictions, migration, or other reasons.

In addition, both chosen families and extended kinship relationships may be created through hardship. As described in Chapter 1, enslaved Black people found ways to create kinship ties among the hostile living conditions that separated them from biological and legal family members. Native Americans and immigrant groups facing oppressive laws and policies continued to foster familial and kinship connections within communities. Chosen families are created for a variety of reasons, and it is important to see them through the lenses of love, connection, nurturance, and equity.

In this chapter, we will focus on the romantic, sexual, and partnership unions that people make by starting with an overview of sex, gender, and sexuality. Chapter 4 will focus more on parenting and other caregiving aspects of family life.

Comprehension Self Check

Licenses and Attributions for Introduction to Connection, Love, and Community

Open Content, Original

“Introduction to Connection, Love, and Community” by Elizabeth B. Pearce, Wesley Sharp, and Nyssa Cronin. License: CC BY 4.0.

Figure 3.1. “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Compared to the First Nations Perspective” by Michaela Willi-Hooper. License: CC BY 4.0. Based on research from Rethinking Learning by Barbara Bray.

“In Focus: Leaving a Family Behind, but Not Really” by Matt Bockheim. License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

Open Content, Shared Previously

Figure 3.2. Photograph by Priscilla Du Preez. License: Unsplash License.

References

Bray, B. (2019, March 10). Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Blackfoot Nation beliefs [blog post]. https://barbarabray.net/2019/03/10/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-and-blackfoot-nation-beliefs/

Cialdini, R. B., Brown, S. L., Lewis, B. P., Luce, C., & Neuberg, S. L. (1997). Reinterpreting the empathy-altruism relationship: When one into one equals oneness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 73(3), 481–494

Carlson, J., & Dermer, S. B. (Eds.). (2019). The SAGE encyclopedia of marriage, family, and couples counseling. SAGE Reference.

Holt-Lunstad, J., Robles, T. F., & Sbarra, D. A. (2017). Advancing social connection as a public health priority in the United States. American Psychologist, 72(6), 517–530. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000103

Seppala, E., Rossomando, T., & Doty, J. R. (2013). Social connection and compassion: Important predictors of health and well-being. Social Research: An International Quarterly, 80(2), 411-430.

Sullivan, W. (1972, March 29). The Einstein Papers. A man of many parts. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1972/03/29/archives/the-einstein-papers-a-man-of-many-parts-the-einstein-papers-man-of.html

World Health Organization. (2020). The social determinants of health. https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1