Interpersonal Communication- A Mindful Approach to Relationships, 2020a

almost anything to be considered a family. Take, for example, individuals who live in a dormitory setting
either at a college or in the military. The first part of Bochner’s definition of family is that it has an
organized, naturally occurring relational interaction system. In essence, this means that any group that
has organization and interacts through various relationships accomplishes part of what it means to be a
family. People who live in dormitories interact through various relationships on a regular basis. Whether
it be relating with one’s roommate or with the other people who live in the rooms next to you, people in
dorms do interact. Dormitories are generally highly organized. People are required to listen to complex
directors and Resident Assistants (on a collegiate level). Also, with the myriad of dormitory softball teams
and other activities, interaction occurs regularly.
The second part of Bochner’s definition of the family deals with occupying a common living space for
an extended period. People who live in college dormitories do so for around a year. To many transient
people, this can be seen as an extended period. The extended time clause is very awkward simply
because of its ambiguity.
The last aspect of Bochner’s definition of the family deals with the possession of interpersonal images
that evolve through communication. Many people who live in the same space will start to acquire many
stories and anecdotes concerning those people with whom they are in close proximity. Whether it be
remembering the night that a group went on a beer run or the time when everyone pulled together
to win the intramural softball competition, a variety of interpersonal images will be created through
communication.
As can be seen through the previous discussion, dormitories are facilities where people cohabitate
with others for extended amounts of time and share interpersonal images that change over time. The
people who live in dorms under this definition could be considered as a family unit. These groups of
people should not be considered as a family unit because dorm residents lack the permanence that is
needed within a family structure. Once an academic year is over, the people go their directions, and
many people will never see or talk to those people with whom they once lived. A family has an ongoing
relationship that is constantly functioning even when the individuals are forced to live apart from the
family of origin. Once again, here is a definition that does not allow for a concise explanation that can be
easily applied when analyzing a family unit.
To understand the concept of a family, the definitions should be combined in such a way that all
types of family structures (e.g., single parent, LGBTQIA+, non-married parents) are included. For
our purposes a is defined as two or more people tied by marriage, blood, adoption, or choice;
living together or apart by choice or circumstance; having interaction within family roles; creating and
maintaining a common culture; being characterized by economic cooperation; deciding to have or not to
have children, either own or adopted; having boundaries; and claiming mutual affection. This does not
necessarily say that all types of families are healthy or legal, but that all cohabiting groups that consider
themselves to be families should be researched as such to understand the specific interactions within the
group. Though one may disagree with a specific family group, understanding the group through a family
filter can lend itself to a better understanding than could be reached by analyzing the group through an
organizational filter. To understand this definition of family, an analysis of the various aspects of this
study’s definition shall be done to help clarify this definition.
The first part of the definition says that a family is “two or more people tied by marriage, blood,
adoption, or choice.” This part of the definition allows for a variety of family options that would not
be accepted otherwise. This definition also allows for children who become part of a foster family to
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Interpersonal Communication