Save the Children’s Position Statement on Families

The word ‘family’ has different meanings to people around the world. Diverse family structures exist in various parts of the world, with the nature of relationships and the power dynamics between men and women, and adults and children, girls and boys varying across countries and cultures. New variants on traditional family structures have emerged in response to social change, conflict, urbanization, HIV/AIDS and other crisis.

Save the Children believes that while there are many different types of families, their functions with respect to nurturing, rearing and protecting children remain the same.

Save the Children understands families as “social groups connected by kinship, marriage, adoption or choice. Family members have clearly defined relationships, long-term commitments, mutual obligations and responsibilities, and a shared sense of togetherness. Families are the primary providers of protection, support and socialisation for children and youth.” (International HIV alliance and Save the Children (2012) Family centred HIV programming for children – Good practice guide, p.15)