Times change cultures and lives. Throughout the generations, the definition of family has clearly evolved. Though some may try to argue, the fact remains that there are many different ways to make a family.

Knowledge is power, and becoming a culturally aware individual makes the world a little better place. Set a few moments of your day aside to read through a few new ways the world is defining the word family.

Surrogacy for the family

Surrogacy hasn’t been an option for the family for too long, but its value has risen in recent years. As the definition of family has changed, you will see various mixtures of people looking to find a suitable surrogate.

There are many reasons a couple may not have the ability to have children on their own, and sometimes an individual is looking to start a family without a partner. Whatever the case may be, surrogacy is a beautiful gift given by a very strong woman who is willing to become a gestational carrier for another family.

Same-sex families

Now that same-sex marriage is legal on a federal level, there are more same-sex families in our nation. Two dads or two moms isn’t so “strange” anymore, as society is slowly adjusting to the evolution of the human spirit. We may have a long way to go as a country, but there have been major strides made in the past decade for same-sex couples.

Blended families

A blended family typically refers to a family made of two individuals who had children prior to their marriage, and then they blended the family by getting married. Since more than half of all marriages end in divorce, the blended family is much more common today than it has been in the past. Property distribution is one of the most common issues that arise in blended families. In that case, deciding who receives a share of the parent’s assets can be a major issue. As a result, most families that begin living together start planning for the future distribution at a very initial stage itself by hiring an estate lawyer so that there is no confusion or conflict between the children later on.

Adoption is more common

Thanks to the influence of big stars like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, adoption has found a new stride in the United States. Adopting a kid is no simple task, as it shouldn’t be simple to take on another human life, but it is becoming more feasible for the common person. The Child adoption process in Texas, for example, has seen improvements in recent years, with streamlined procedures for biological parents and increased support for prospective parents. Similarly, states like California and New York have implemented programs to expedite adoptions for children in foster care, while organizations in Florida may offer specialized services for international adoptions.

Furthermore, for the first time in history, there are some places in the United States where same-sex couples can adopt a child. At the end of the day, adoption saves the lives of thousands of children in and outside of the U.S. every day, providing loving homes and new opportunities for kids who might otherwise face challenging circumstances.

Heterosexual families

Even the traditional hetero relationship has changed over the years. Due to the high failure rate of marriage, there are many “straight” couples who are choosing not to take the plunge. Love is enough without the complications of legal matters, and the priority of going through the process of legal marriage is not as important as it has been in the past.