Insights into Family Relationships
The Household and Lineage
A household is more than just the people living under one roof; it represents the smallest social unit in society. Each family belongs to a wider lineage, which connects present generations to their ancestors. Studying family history often helps us understand how different generations are related to one another and how traditions are passed on.
A household is more than just the people living under one roof; it represents the smallest social unit in society. Each family belongs to a wider lineage, which connects present generations to their ancestors. Studying family history often helps us understand how different generations are related to one another and how traditions are passed on.
Adoption and Family Change
Families are not only formed by birth. To adopt a child means to take legal responsibility for raising someone who is not your biological child. Adoption can create strong family ties, even without a genetic connection. On the other hand, when couples decide to separate or get a divorce, new family structures may appear, such as the one-parent family.
Step-Relations
Modern family life is often complex. After a divorce or remarriage, a new stepfamily may be formed. In such families, children may gain a stepfather or a stepmother, who are often called stepparents. They may also get new siblings, such as a stepbrother or a stepsister. From the parent’s point of view, the children from the other partner’s previous marriage are called stepchildren, which can be a stepson or a stepdaughter.
Twins and Resemblance
Another interesting aspect of family is physical appearance. Identical twins are so alike in appearance that it can be hard to tell them apart. In other families, children may not look identical, but people might say they take after someone, meaning they resemble their mother, father, or sometimes even another relative in looks or behaviour.
Another interesting aspect of family is physical appearance. Identical twins are so alike in appearance that it can be hard to tell them apart. In other families, children may not look identical, but people might say they take after someone, meaning they resemble their mother, father, or sometimes even another relative in looks or behaviour.
In-Law Relations
When two people get married, their families join together, and they acquire new relatives referred to as in-laws. For instance, if your sister marries, her husband becomes your brother-in-law. If your brother marries, his wife is your sister-in-law. Later in life, when people’s children marry, the family grows again. A daughter’s husband is referred to as a son-in-law, and a son’s wife is called a daughter-in-law. Parents also have in-laws. For instance, your father has a father-in-law (his wife’s father) and a mother-in-law (his wife’s mother). Together, they are called parents-in-law. Even though these family members are not connected by blood, in-laws can be very important and supportive parts of the family. These relations can be just as important as blood ties, and they often play a major role in the support system of the family.
Key vocabulary:
Core family terms
adopt — [əˈdɒpt] —to take a child legally into a family and raise them as your own; adoptēt
adoption — [əˈdɒp.ʃən] — when an adult or a couple becomes the legal parents of a child who was born to other parents; adopcija
ancestor — [ˈæn.ses.tər] — a person in your family who lived a long time ago (e.g., great-grandparents); sencis, priekštecis
divorce — [dɪˈvɔːs] — the official, legal end of a marriage; laulības šķiršana
generation — [ˌdʒen.əˈreɪ.ʃən] — all the people in a family born around the same time (e.g., parents, children, grandparents); paaudze
household — [ˈhaʊs.həʊld] — all the people who live together in one house; mājsaimniecība
identical twin — [aɪˌden.tɪ.kəl ˈtwɪn] — two children born at the same time who look almost exactly alike and are always both boys or both girls; identisks dvīnis
lineage — [ˈlɪn.i.ɪdʒ] — the line of family members from past generations, showing your family history; raduraksti, izcelšanās
separate — [ˈsep.ər.ət] — when two people in a marriage or relationship decide to live apart; atdalīties, aiziet prom, neturpinot attiecības
one-parent family (also: single-parent family) — [ˌwʌn.peə.rənt ˈfæm.əl.i] — a family where only one parent lives with and raises the children; viena vecāka ģimene
adoption — [əˈdɒp.ʃən] — when an adult or a couple becomes the legal parents of a child who was born to other parents; adopcija
ancestor — [ˈæn.ses.tər] — a person in your family who lived a long time ago (e.g., great-grandparents); sencis, priekštecis
divorce — [dɪˈvɔːs] — the official, legal end of a marriage; laulības šķiršana
generation — [ˌdʒen.əˈreɪ.ʃən] — all the people in a family born around the same time (e.g., parents, children, grandparents); paaudze
household — [ˈhaʊs.həʊld] — all the people who live together in one house; mājsaimniecība
identical twin — [aɪˌden.tɪ.kəl ˈtwɪn] — two children born at the same time who look almost exactly alike and are always both boys or both girls; identisks dvīnis
lineage — [ˈlɪn.i.ɪdʒ] — the line of family members from past generations, showing your family history; raduraksti, izcelšanās
separate — [ˈsep.ər.ət] — when two people in a marriage or relationship decide to live apart; atdalīties, aiziet prom, neturpinot attiecības
one-parent family (also: single-parent family) — [ˌwʌn.peə.rənt ˈfæm.əl.i] — a family where only one parent lives with and raises the children; viena vecāka ģimene
General family terms
related — [rɪˈleɪ.tɪd] — connected by blood or marriage; saistīts, radniecīgs
relation — [rɪˈleɪ.ʃən] — someone who belongs to your family; a relative; saistība, sakars, attiecība
relative — [ˈrel.ə.tɪv] — a person in your family, such as a cousin, aunt, uncle, or grandparent; radinieks, radiniece
take after someone — to look or behave like an older family member; kādam līdzināties (izskatā, uzvedībā)
related — [rɪˈleɪ.tɪd] — connected by blood or marriage; saistīts, radniecīgs
relation — [rɪˈleɪ.ʃən] — someone who belongs to your family; a relative; saistība, sakars, attiecība
relative — [ˈrel.ə.tɪv] — a person in your family, such as a cousin, aunt, uncle, or grandparent; radinieks, radiniece
take after someone — to look or behave like an older family member; kādam līdzināties (izskatā, uzvedībā)
In-law relations
brother-in-law — [ˈbrʌð.ə.rɪn.lɔː] — there are two common situations: either he is the husband of your sister or the brother of your husband or wife (later in your life); svainis, māsasvīrs
daughter-in-law — [ˈdɔː.tər.ɪn.lɔː] — if your brother marries a girl, that girl is your parents’ daughter-in-law; dēlasieva, vedekla
father-in-law — [father-in-law] — if your sister marries a boy, his father is your sister's father-in-law, and if your brother marries a girl, her father is your brother's father-in-law; vīratēvs, sievastēvs
in-law — [ˈɪn.lɔː] — a general term for family members you get through marriage (not by blood); ieprecējies
mother-in-law — [ˈmʌð.ə.rɪn.lɔː] — if your sister marries a boy, his mother is your sister's mother-in-law, and if your brother marries a girl, her mother is your brother's mother-in-law; vīramāte, sievasmāte
parents-in-law — [ˈpeə.rənts.ɪnˌlɔː] — if your sister marries a boy, his parents are your sister's parents-in-law, and if your brother marries a girl, her parents are your brother's parents-in-law; sievas vecāki, vīra vecāki
sister-in-law — [ˈsɪs.tə.rɪn.lɔː] — there are two main situations where someone is your sister-in-law: she is the wife of your brother; she is the sister of your husband or wife (later in your life); brāļasieva, svaine, vīramāsa, sievasmāsa
son-in-law — [ˈsʌn.ɪn.lɔː] — the man who is married to your sister (for you) or the man who is married to your parents’ daughter (for them); meitasvīrs, znots
daughter-in-law — [ˈdɔː.tər.ɪn.lɔː] — if your brother marries a girl, that girl is your parents’ daughter-in-law; dēlasieva, vedekla
father-in-law — [father-in-law] — if your sister marries a boy, his father is your sister's father-in-law, and if your brother marries a girl, her father is your brother's father-in-law; vīratēvs, sievastēvs
in-law — [ˈɪn.lɔː] — a general term for family members you get through marriage (not by blood); ieprecējies
mother-in-law — [ˈmʌð.ə.rɪn.lɔː] — if your sister marries a boy, his mother is your sister's mother-in-law, and if your brother marries a girl, her mother is your brother's mother-in-law; vīramāte, sievasmāte
parents-in-law — [ˈpeə.rənts.ɪnˌlɔː] — if your sister marries a boy, his parents are your sister's parents-in-law, and if your brother marries a girl, her parents are your brother's parents-in-law; sievas vecāki, vīra vecāki
sister-in-law — [ˈsɪs.tə.rɪn.lɔː] — there are two main situations where someone is your sister-in-law: she is the wife of your brother; she is the sister of your husband or wife (later in your life); brāļasieva, svaine, vīramāsa, sievasmāsa
son-in-law — [ˈsʌn.ɪn.lɔː] — the man who is married to your sister (for you) or the man who is married to your parents’ daughter (for them); meitasvīrs, znots
Step-relations
stepbrother — [ˈstepˌbrʌ.ðər] — is seen from your perspective. It’s the boy who becomes your brother because your parent married his mother or father; pusbrālis
stepchild — [ˈstep.tʃaɪld] — is used from the adult’s perspective. A general word for a son or daughter of your parent’s new husband or wife. A stepchild can be a stepson or a stepdaughter; pabērns
stepdaughter — [ˈstepˌdɔː.tər] — is seen from the parent’s perspective. The man has a daughter, and for his new wife that girl is her stepdaughter; pameita
stepfamily (also: step-family) — [ˈstepˌfæm.əl.i] — a family formed after one or both partners remarry and bring children from earlier relationships; ģimene, kurā viens no partneriem ir bērna bioloģiskais tēvs vai māte
stepfather — [ˈstepˌfɑː.ðər] — the husband of your mother who is not your biological father; patēvs
stepmother — [ˈstepˌmʌð.ər] — the wife of your father who is not your biological mother; pamāte
stepparent — [ˈstepˌpeə.rənt] — a parent who is married to the father or mother of a child, but who is not that child's biological ( related by birth) father or mother; a stepfather or stepmother; patēvs vai pamāte, audžu vecāks
stepsister — [ˈstepˌsɪs.tər] — is seen from your perspective. The girl who becomes your sister because your parent marries her mother or father. She is not your biological sister; pusmāsa
stepson — [ˈstep.sʌn] — is seen from the parent’s perspective. It’s the child that comes into the family because your parent married someone who already had a son; padēls
stepchild — [ˈstep.tʃaɪld] — is used from the adult’s perspective. A general word for a son or daughter of your parent’s new husband or wife. A stepchild can be a stepson or a stepdaughter; pabērns
stepdaughter — [ˈstepˌdɔː.tər] — is seen from the parent’s perspective. The man has a daughter, and for his new wife that girl is her stepdaughter; pameita
stepfamily (also: step-family) — [ˈstepˌfæm.əl.i] — a family formed after one or both partners remarry and bring children from earlier relationships; ģimene, kurā viens no partneriem ir bērna bioloģiskais tēvs vai māte
stepfather — [ˈstepˌfɑː.ðər] — the husband of your mother who is not your biological father; patēvs
stepmother — [ˈstepˌmʌð.ər] — the wife of your father who is not your biological mother; pamāte
stepparent — [ˈstepˌpeə.rənt] — a parent who is married to the father or mother of a child, but who is not that child's biological ( related by birth) father or mother; a stepfather or stepmother; patēvs vai pamāte, audžu vecāks
stepsister — [ˈstepˌsɪs.tər] — is seen from your perspective. The girl who becomes your sister because your parent marries her mother or father. She is not your biological sister; pusmāsa
stepson — [ˈstep.sʌn] — is seen from the parent’s perspective. It’s the child that comes into the family because your parent married someone who already had a son; padēls
Practice: now that you have learned the key vocabulary, it is time to use it in practice. Answer the discussion-type questions, which will help you develop the ability to give longer answers and practise expressing opinions — just as in an English exam or real conversation. For each question, an answer prompt is available to guide you.
Discussion-Type Questions
1. Are family traditions still important for young people today? Why or why not?
"From my perspective, traditions remain significant as they create continuity between generations and strengthen identity. I believe that celebrating holidays, birthdays, or cultural customs allows families to stay connected. Even in stepfamilies or single-parent households, traditions can provide stability and a sense of belonging."
2. How can adoption change the life of a child and the life of the parents?
"I firmly believe that adoption can transform a child’s life by offering security, love, and long-term care. At the same time, it allows adults to experience parenthood and form deep emotional bonds. This shows that a family is not only defined by blood, but also by commitment and mutual support."
3. In what ways has family life changed compared to the past?
"In my view, family life has undergone significant changes compared to the past. I would say that families used to be more traditional, with clear roles and often several generations under one roof. Nowadays, however, I tend to feel that family structures are more diverse, including stepfamilies, single-parent households, and couples choosing to marry later. To some extent, I agree that these changes reflect greater freedom and equality in society, but the core value of family, which is to provide love and support, has remained the same."
Useful vocabulary for expressing an opinion:
Direct opinion:
In my view … — a polite and formal way to say “I think.” Often used in discussions or writing
It seems to me that … — slightly softer than “I think,” it makes the opinion sound less direct
I believe that … — stronger than “I think,” often used when you have a clear personal conviction
I would argue that … — more academic; used when you want to present a reasoned opinion in a debate or essay
From my perspective … — shows that you are giving your personal point of view or experience
As I see it … — a natural way to share your personal interpretation of a situation
It seems to me that … — slightly softer than “I think,” it makes the opinion sound less direct
I believe that … — stronger than “I think,” often used when you have a clear personal conviction
I would argue that … — more academic; used when you want to present a reasoned opinion in a debate or essay
Nuanced opinion:
To some extent, I agree that … — shows partial agreement; good for balanced answers in exams
I tend to feel that … — shows your opinion is not absolute, but more of a leaning or preference
As far as I’m concerned … — expresses a personal opinion that may be different from others; often used in conversation
In my opinion, the main point is that … — slightly stronger than “In my opinion,” because it focuses on the key idea
On the whole, I would say that … — used when you want to give a general opinion, but admit there may be exceptions
To some extent, I agree that … — shows partial agreement; good for balanced answers in exams
I tend to feel that … — shows your opinion is not absolute, but more of a leaning or preference
As far as I’m concerned … — expresses a personal opinion that may be different from others; often used in conversation
In my opinion, the main point is that … — slightly stronger than “In my opinion,” because it focuses on the key idea
Stronger opinion:
There is no doubt that … — used to stress full confidence in your opinion
I firmly believe that … — shows strong personal conviction or deep belief
It is clear to me that … — expresses certainty and suggests the opinion is obvious from your perspective
I am convinced that … — very strong; you are certain about your opinion
There is no doubt that … — used to stress full confidence in your opinion
I firmly believe that … — shows strong personal conviction or deep belief
It is clear to me that … — expresses certainty and suggests the opinion is obvious from your perspective