The Family Day Debate: Should We Embrace All Family Structures or Stick to Traditional Ones in Elementary School?

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I know that today’s reality includes other types of families that we will likely encounter more often in our classrooms, such as children with two fathers or two mothers, and various other variations. However, I want to focus on the true meaning and purpose of celebrating this day and making our students aware of it.

As one student told me, My sister follows an influencer who always greets with 'Hello, Family.' The school principal also says that we should all be a family. So, are they families too? This shows how the concept of family has expanded and, in some ways, overflowed.

I believe that going back to basics or fundamentals is a good way to understand what a family truly means, without focusing so much on who makes it up, but on the work and purpose of the family itself.


I do not want to deny that I have had students who live in very difficult "family" situations that seem more like a battlefield than anything else. But these are their families and environments, and they deserve to be respected. If these children do not know what a family is because they did not have the opportunity, understanding that it is indeed a family makes a lot of sense for their future and will help them build their own.

Why Focusing on “Traditional” Families Matters


When you are an elementary teacher (in the lower grades), it is important to provide children with examples they can relate to about what a family looks like. By focusing on traditional family structures, you offer an easy-to-understand framework to discuss their own experiences. Most children come from homes that include a single parent or both biological parents, a single grandmother, or sometimes an aunt with her husband and children. This does not exclude other family models but allows us to offer a basic understanding of the roles, routines, and values that families commonly share.


I firmly believe that it is necessary to start with the basics, with the simple, and gradually incorporate more concepts and variations over time. There is always time for everything, and if it’s about this topic and with the youngest, I prefer that they understand the basics. This way, it is clarified that the foundation of a family is not in the gender of its members but in the work and role assigned to each one.


Moreover, I am convinced that the family is not only made up of parents; many children and people build their families with people who are not part of their blood relations, and this is very healthy and valid. Rather than romanticizing the family, we need to understand that it is from there that values, beliefs, and often the character of people and even their destiny originate.


Convincing Reasons to Celebrate Family Day in Schools


Fostering Love and Connection (basic human needs)  

Teaching children about family gives them the opportunity to recognize the love and care they receive at home. It helps them see that their family is a source of security and trust. This awareness leads to stronger connections within their own family units and helps them feel safe and supported.


Strengthening Fundamental Values

Families are where children learn fundamental values such as kindness, respect, and responsibility. By understanding and appreciating these values, children are more likely to carry them into school and beyond. Teaching about family helps children reflect on what their family teaches them and reinforces the importance of these values.


Encouraging Teamwork 

A family functions better when its members work together, and this is an important lesson for children. Celebrating Family Day encourages students to understand the concept of teamwork within their homes. It reminds them that families support each other in difficult times and celebrate together in joyful moments.


Emotional Growth and Understanding  

When children learn to appreciate their family’s routines, customs, and dynamics, they grow emotionally by recognizing their own identity within the family unit. This understanding fosters emotional intelligence, which helps them interact with others more compassionately.


Reflecting on Family Roles

Children often see family members playing specific roles, whether it’s a parent providing guidance, a sibling offering companionship, or a caregiver ensuring their well-being. Family Day gives them the chance to reflect on these roles, understanding how each person contributes to the family as a whole. This helps children feel gratitude for the unique qualities that each family member brings.


How to Handle Questions About Other Family Structures


In today’s diverse world, it’s natural for children to ask about families that may differ from the examples you focus on in class. When children ask about same-sex parents or other less common structures, it’s important to respond with openness and respect. Here’s how you can address these questions thoughtfully:


Recognize Diversity

You can explain that families come in many different forms and that what makes a family is the love and support shared among its members. This keeps the focus on universal values of love, respect, care, and unity, which apply to all families.


Promote Respect

Use this opportunity to teach students about respecting different types of families. Although their families may look different, the values that unite them, love, respect, and support are universal.


Family Day is a special time to honor and celebrate the families that are part of children’s lives. Teaching students about family not only fosters appreciation for the love and support they receive but also aids their emotional and social growth.


By focusing on traditional family structures, you provide a framework with which students can relate and reflect on values, teamwork, and emotional bonds within their own homes. When questions arise about different types of families, it’s an opportunity to teach respect and understanding, maintaining the central message that family, whatever its form, is the heart of a child’s life.


That’s why I’ve designed my own Family Day resource, aiming to highlight the uniqueness of each family and reflect deeply through critical thinking and reflective questions with young children on the topic. Check it out.




Family is one of the most fundamental aspects of a child's life, and teaching about it in schools provides an opportunity for students to reflect on the love, support, and values they receive at home. Family Day is the perfect time to celebrate this essential bond, helping children understand and appreciate their own families.

How do you approach the topic of family with your students? What is most important to you?

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