That’s the question Houstonia’s editorial team found itself asking over and over in preparation for our family guide. It’s not an easy one to answer. The family as we know it today is a shapeshifter, the product of at least two forces that are themselves in constant motion—society’s changing attitudes and an ever-unpredictable economic climate.
In a world where children are raised by moms and dads, yes, but also grandparents, single parents, gay parents, and more, and where those seeking an extended family network can find it at reunions, yes, but also at support groups, churches, and around water coolers—understanding just who is and who isn’t a member of one’s family is harder than ever, so much so that maybe the distinction doesn’t even matter anymore.
In such a climate, it seemed prudent to employ the broadest possible definition of family, which is to say not just parents and children, but the entire extended clan, not just those united by common blood but a common bond as well. After all, while each of us will always be part of the larger human family, the various subdivisions offered to us are increasingly a matter of choice. Some will see this as evidence that the family is falling apart, others that it is under siege, still others that it is obsolete. From where we stand, however, the family is now and always will be a vital institution, if only because the needs that underlie it—stability and unconditional love—remain themselves as vital as ever. The construction bends but the loving goes on. —Scott Vogel
Flora, Fauna, Family
Get out of the house!
Houston’s Best Parks Outside the Loop
Who says there’s nothing to do outside the Loop?
Houston’s Best Spraygrounds
Far from a fad, the splash pad is here to stay.
Bargain Brood: Family Affairs on the Cheap
You don’t need to spend a fortune on family fun
The Grandest Parents: a Spirited Guide to Overindulgence
Where to start spoiling your grandkids
How to Be the World’s Best Aunt
One woman’s story
A Growing Family’s Restaurant Guide
Where to take your brood, from tots to tweens
Festivals for Every Member of Every Sort of Family
There’s no shortage of things to do this summer
The Ultimate Guide to a Houston Family Reunion
The perfect collection of venues, restaurants, and tips for your next family reunion
Avoiding Dinner Drama with Tots in Tow
Tips for parents (and non-parents) to keep the kid drama at bay when dining out with little ones.
7 Great Small Houston Parks
Sometimes, you want to relax with the family away from the maddening crowd.
|
|
|
