In an era that is permeated by globalization and the overwhelming interconnectedness amongst individuals, particularly those in Western society, there remains the crucial and unique unit from which each of us originates, develops from, and ultimately belongs to: one’s family. It is from one’s family unit that a person is conditioned to learn a range of information and knowledge that helps to appropriate them into becoming (or not) functioning members of society as well as their own persons. Of this gleaned knowledge, perhaps most significant is the accruement of who we are as individuals and the beginning formation of our identities at their most basic level. As stated by McGoldrick, Carter, and Preto (2011) “the meaning of family is deeply intertwined with a sense of “home,” or belonging, and is essential to our sense of individual and social identity” (p. 5). In this sense, the phrase “I am” can be understood as being directly linked to that of one’s family of origin.
