An individual’s quality of life refers to their subjective
measure of happiness and wellbeing. While many factors contribute to this such
as financial security, status of health, personal safety, and job satisfaction,
family life has an extremely important role to play in an individual’s life
both in terms of past patterns and future implications. A family provides for
its members by looking out for their comfort and support, security, health, and
emotional wellbeing. This International Day of Families, let’s revisit our
roots and explore the role it plays in enhancing the quality of life.

Security. Family is a child’s first base of support. From
the moment we are born, we rely solely on caregivers to provide us with
nourishment, shelter, safety, and comfort. As we grow up, this initial
dependence takes on different forms such as needing financial or emotional
help. As full-grown adults, we partake in a more mutual reciprocation of
support. Having a secure base to operate from is an important part of an
individual’s sense of wellbeing.

Freedom. As mentioned in the previous point, a healthy
family plays an important protective role for everyone. However, if an
individual feels stifled and is deprived of personal choices or the opportunity
to form their own identity by being overprotected, this negatively affects the quality of life. When given opportunities as well as the freedom to pursue important
personal goals or explore meaningful possibilities, it provides the springboard
to spread our wings as independent and healthy adults.

Social connection. While an overprotective family can cause
problems, a neglectful one is equally damaging. We look to our families not
only to provide for us physically or financially but also emotionally. Family
is our very first and one of life’s most significant social networks, that determines
to a large degree how we will interact with the world as well as future family
life. The emotional bonds we share with loved ones shape our social
interactions, future relationships, and our happiness.

Shared time. When we are young, we absorb what we see around
us in terms of habits, relationships, and lifestyle. As adults, we either
unconsciously continue them or consciously choose our own path with our old
families or the new ones we form as adults. The time we spend with our loved
ones whether it is sitting down for a meal together, enjoying a shared activity
like a game or a TV show plays a bigger role in our well-being than we give it
credit for.

Healthy and happy relationships with our loved ones enrich
us emotionally and give our lives joy and meaning. When we are surrounded by
those we love and who love us back, family and home become almost synonymous.
Although the definition of the family today has expanded a great deal in recent
decades from its traditional standpoint, it is nice to know that certain things
remain the same: it keeps us rooted, gives us a safe base to fly from as well
as to return to a place with people to call our own.