Since I depart for my wife's family reunion in northern Ohio today, I have been thinking about the nature of such events. Of course, families are very limited in nature since, in most species, the young disperse early in life to prevent inbreeding; indeed, with few exceptions, unicellular organisms, invertebrates, fish, amphibians and most reptiles never even meet their parents.
Families, as we know them, only exist in certain birds and mammals and humans are among the few species to retain long-term familial relationships. Throughout most of our history, a nomadic lifestyle broke up extended families and, even today, a global economy has encouraged (if not required) the spatial separation of family members. One might argue that family reunions have become especially important in modern human society.
On the other hand, whatever interpersonal tensions existed during childhood tend to persist, and reunions may reignite those emotions. Then there is the additional influence (positive or negative) that spouses and children have had on family dynamics and now "bring to the table." It is no wonder that family reunions have been fodder for so many novels and movies (some dramatic, others comedic); I expect a little of both over the coming week.
Families, as we know them, only exist in certain birds and mammals and humans are among the few species to retain long-term familial relationships. Throughout most of our history, a nomadic lifestyle broke up extended families and, even today, a global economy has encouraged (if not required) the spatial separation of family members. One might argue that family reunions have become especially important in modern human society.
On the other hand, whatever interpersonal tensions existed during childhood tend to persist, and reunions may reignite those emotions. Then there is the additional influence (positive or negative) that spouses and children have had on family dynamics and now "bring to the table." It is no wonder that family reunions have been fodder for so many novels and movies (some dramatic, others comedic); I expect a little of both over the coming week.
