motional. It is not necessary for all of these dimensions to be present, or present at the same intensity, in order to inform a definition of the family. Through my review of lesson one I was able to act on the realization that there is more than one definition of family. The course defines family through the multidimensional model, and states the many realistic forms families are known by; they include, Biological family: people who are related, the Economic family: related people sharing a household, and the Psychological family: emotionally identified group. Other definitions include the Census family/ household, the Nuclear family, and the Extended or supra family (Guldner). Between the two reading sources, Claude Guldners essay and the material in lesson one, it is clear that both hold many similar properties as to just what family is. Through careful examination it is apparent that both the essay and the material in lesson one share comparable fact and reason, both note how the emerging family is base on a multidimensional model, and how there are several dimensions involved. As well both sources necessitate that we move from an essentialist definition of family, and expand to a constructivist perspective (Guldner), meaning that we participate in the construction of our realities and that our views change with our experience. Constructivist thinking enables us to create families of choice. The second point that I am going to introduce is Family systems theory. The purpose of this theory is to provide us with a framework for understanding how families function at the six stages of the family life cycle. Because families are so diverse, and because those who study the family take so many different positions, there is no one theory or framework that suits everyone. With reference to the essay, The emerging family, we learn that systems theory has enabled us to recognize that at one level all families are alike. They all have structur...