We are Family

The importance of different types of family

by Claire Law

Suitable for Whole School (Sec)

Aims

To consider the role that families play in society and to highlight the diversity of family structures.

Preparation and materials

• You will need the PowerPoint slides accompanying this assembly (We are Family) and the means to display them
• You will need the YouTube clip ‘Sad Film – Kid’s poems and stories with Michael Rosen’ and the means to display it. This can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGuBm_911Fo
• You will need the song ‘We are Family’ by Sister Sledge and the means to play this during the assembly. This can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyGY2NfYpeE

Assembly

1. As students enter, have the song ‘We are Family’ by Sister playing. This can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyGY2NfYpeE

Show Slide 1.

2. Welcome to our assembly. As you entered our assembly today, we heard a song playing – can anyone tell me the name of this song?
Listen to some responses from students.
It’s a disco classic from 1979 called ‘We are Family’. It’s still a popular song nowadays – perhaps because it’s so upbeat, or perhaps because the lyrics remind us of something that really matters in life – the importance of feeling that we belong to a family. No matter where we come from, we all have some form of family—whether biological, chosen, or extended. The feeling of being part of a group where we can connect with others is a basic human need. We can talk about being part of our School Family – in a sense, we all belong to this family.

3. Show Slide 2.
This May, people across the globe will be recognizing the importance of families in shaping individuals, communities, and societies. May 15th is UN International Day of Families. In celebration of that, we are going to be thinking about celebrating families and the different ways that we can belong to family-type groups. We are going to consider why it’s so important to belong. We can see on the slide here the logo for the UN International Day of Families. The red image shows a heart under a roof. Of course, we don’t always live under the same roof as people who are part of our family, but there is usually a sense that we share life with people who feel like family to us. The logo also includes a heart image. Of course, we don’t always agree or even feel warm towards people in our family; however, families can offer a place to love others, despite their faults, and a place to experience being loved.

4. So, what is Family?
Let’s take a moment to think about the people who are part of our family. These could be parents, siblings, close relatives, carers or even friends who have acted like family. Families come in all shapes and sizes, and we don’t have to be related to someone to feel they are part of our family. Family doesn’t always mean blood relations. The people who support and care for us such as friends, mentors, teachers, can also be family.

5. So, why do families matter?
Show Slide 3.
Families, whether biological, or chosen families, offer a range of benefits. Let’s consider some of these:
- Emotional support – Family members are often the first people we turn to in times of joy, sorrow, or stress.
- A sense of belonging – Family helps us feel connected and supported, regardless of challenges or differences.
- Guidance and mentorship – Families often shape our values, our views of the world, and our dreams for the future.
- Stability and security – The structure of family life offers a sense of comfort and consistency, even in difficult times.
- Cultural and personal identity – Families are where traditions are passed down, cultural heritage is honored, and we learn to be who we are.

6. However, no family is perfect, and many families across the globe face all sorts of challenges. Some families may experience financial struggles, illness, divorce, or loss. Some families are living in war-torn areas of the world. Some families live in conflict or find they cannot live together. Some people find that their family of origin is not a safe place to be. They might go on to form chosen families, but also feel sad that their biological family is not a safe place for them.

7. And, so, whether we are part of a biological family, a chosen family or a community that feels like family, let’s take a moment to consider what the ingredients for healthy family relationships might be.

8. Show Slide 4.
Here we see a graphic that uses the metaphor of a cake recipe for family relationships.
Read through the slide.
Ask the question, what do you make of this?
In some ways, this graphic is not so different to what the Bible teaches about Love. Love is at the heart of healthy family relationships.

9. Show Slide 5.
(You may wish to ask a student to read the passage)
In the Bible we read:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4–7

Time for reflection

Let’s pause to consider the various types of families we belong to whether our school family, our family of origin or any chosen families we are part of. Let’s pause to think about the ingredients we bring to the mix.
Let us consider how we can be patient with our family members.

Pause to allow time for reflection.

Let us consider how we can be faithful with our family members.

Pause to allow time for reflection.

Let us consider how we can be kind with our family members.

Pause to allow time for reflection.

And, when things are tough in our families, let us consider how we can act in ways that rejoice with the truth.

Pause to allow time for reflection.

Prayer

Let us take a moment to pray for our family, and for families across the world:

Dear God
We thank you for all kinds of families, immediate and extended, nuclear or blended, whether related by blood or decision.
We thank you for those who foster and adopt, providing homes and a welcome for children in need.
We pray for those times when we feel frustrated with our family, or misunderstood, rejected, or angry.
When things feel messy and chaotic, bring your peace.
When we are short-tempered or self-absorbed, remind us of your perfect love.
Amen.

Music

‘We are Family’ by Sister Sledge. This can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyGY2NfYpeE