Families - both traditional and non-traditional - are the foundation of society. Some of the most formative years of our lives are spent growing up with our families, so they should be celebrated! And today we do just that. Founded by the United Nations in 1994, The International Day of Families is observed on May 15 every year to celebrate the importance of families, people, societies and cultures around the world.
It’s been around since 1994, with a different family-focused theme each year (past themes have included “Building Families Based on Partnership” and “Families, education and well-being”).
Family isn’t always blood
It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs. The ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who love you no matter what. So take today to think critically about what family really means to you, and how you can get closer to the people you love. At the end of the day, family is family—no matter what.
There is also the family of human kind and this is being tested right now with Corvid 19 but we see the best of human nature appearing as we all start to take care of each other. We may stress the importance of the immediate family but the greater family is just as important in times like these when we can't necessarily look after our own but we can look after others as others look after ours.
The year 1994 was proclaimed as the International Year of Families by the United Nations. This was a response to changing social and economic structures, which have affected and still affect the structure and stability of family units in many regions of the globe. The International Day of Families, on May 15, is an occasion to reflect on the work started during 1994 and to celebrate the importance of families, people, societies and cultures around the world. It has been held every year since 1995.
Every family is different - family can be defined many different ways, and International Day of Families recognizes that. Some families consist of children; some do not. Some consist of one parent; others more than one. International Day of Families is about more than just celebrating those who share DNA with you - it’s about celebrating all of the people you love.