These terms are needed to understand the concepts in this chapter and will appear in other chapters in the text.

• assortative mating: the tendency to choose intimate mates who are more like oneself.
• binary: a social construct composed of two parts that are framed as absolute and unchanging opposites.
• chosen families: non biological kinship bonds, whether legally recognized or not, deliberately chosen for the purpose of mutual support and love.
• cisgender: a person who identifies in accordance with their gender assignment.
• companionate marriage: a relationship in which one spouse (usually the man) works away from the home.
• hierarchy of needs theories: a framework, articulated by multiple Indigenous groups, that emphasizes self-actualization not just of the individual, but of the community as the most primary of needs.
• homophobia: the fear, hatred, or prejudice against gay people.
• individualistic marriage: a relationship in which parenting and work are more likely to be shared.
• intersex: a variation in sex characteristics, such as chromosomes, gonads, sex hormones, or genitals.
• intimate relationships: characterized by mutual trust, caring and acceptance and often implies a romantic or sexual relationship.
• institutionalized marriage: a relationship in which roles are clearly defined between the man and the woman in the pursuit of economic and familial stability.
• polyamory: having intimate relationships with more than one person at at at a time
• private function of families: the aspect of family life related to loving another person forever, or indefinitely
• sexuality: the pattern or romantic and/or sexual attraction feelings and behaviors to others in relation to one’s own gender identity.
• stigma:negative or discriminatory attitude based on a social characteristic or behavior
• transgender people: individuals who do not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth.
• union formation: any couple relationships, including marriage.