Long Beach Statement on the Family

The Long Beach statement on family: The City of Long Beach recognizes that families are private by nature and choices about specific family forms should not be dictated by government. The City of Long Beach recognizes the public is best served when families are strong enough to provide for themselves. The city has identified five central functions of the ideal family, as follows: 1. Families care for one another’s physical health, safety and well-being. Families provide food and shelter, clothing, health care and economic sustenance for their members. 2. Families tend to the emotional growth and stability of their members. Family relationships usually begin with a sense of caring, nurturing and love. 3. Families reinforce and promote values. While the specifics of a family’s value system will be determined by a number of factors--culture, religion, education, life experiences--all family members, whether children or adults, look first to other family members for models and guidance in matters of everyday life. 4. Family members have responsibilities to one another that mirror broader social responsibilities. The lesson about one’s obligations when living with family provides a constant reminder about the general obligations of living in society--of citizenship. 5. The family is a haven, a private area insulated from the many stresses of life.