Chapter 2 Families and Parents 31
By Marriage
People become related to one another by
marriage. When a man and woman marry,
they create a new family. Their marriage is
the foundation of their family. The couple
may or may not choose to add children
to their family by birth or adoption. In
marriages in which one or both spouses have
children from a previous relationship, the
family includes the newly married spouses
and their children.
By Birth
A baby is biologically related to the
man and woman who gave him or her life.
These people are the baby’s biological parents
or birthparents. The baby is also related to
members of the biological parents’ families,
including brothers, sisters, grandparents,
aunts, uncles, and cousins. All children are
related to their birthparents although the
family of origin may differ for some children,
such as adopted children.
By Adoption
Adoption also creates family
relationships. Adoption is a legal process of
transferring a child’s parental relationship
from his or her birthparents to adoptive
parents. Adoptive families include adoptive
parents and one or more adopted children
who may have the same birthparents, 2-2.
Adoptive parents are legally the child’s
parents and have the same responsibilities as
birthparents.
People may choose adoption for various
reasons. Some couples are unable to have
biological children. Adoption can allow
them to experience parenting. A couple may
also adopt if one spouse has a hereditary
condition that would likely affect their future
biological children. Other couples adopt
simply to offer loving homes to children
who need them. They may adopt infants or
older children. Because they have chosen to
become parents, adoptive parents are usually
very dedicated to parenting.
Through Foster Families
Another circumstance that creates
family relationships is foster care. Foster care
is temporary care provided for a child who
needs a loving home. Foster parents are adults
who volunteer and are trained to provide a
temporary home for a child who needs one.
Each state directs the care of children placed
in this temporary care. Basically, a foster
family provides a child with a substitute
2-2 This couple became parents when they
adopted several children who needed a loving
home.