Final answer:
A family can be defined as a social and economic unit tied by birth, marriage, adoption, cohabitation, or emotional connections, reflecting traditional and broader sociological perspectives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The definition of a family varies across societies and has evolved over time. Sociologists and institutions like the U.S. Census Bureau provide different definitions of family. For instance, the U.S. Census Bureau strictly defines a family as a group of two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption and residing together. This contrasts with a more flexible sociological perspective that may also recognize cohabitation, emotional connections, and economic arrangements as factors in defining a family. A family of orientation is the family a person is born into, while a family of procreation is one formed through marriage. Essentially, family can be seen as a social and economic unit inclusive of kinship ties, whether through traditional means or a broader understanding that encompasses emotional bonds and shared goals.