Photo by Emre Akyol
One of the more surprising tropes that has seen a definite surge in popularity is that of found family. This trope isn’t about a plucky young orphan finding out who their parents are, mind you. What happens when this trope is in play is something more insightful about the current trends in society. A lot of reporting has gone in on the fact that society is becoming more and more atomized. This means that people’s relationships with one another have become more or less difficult to maintain. If you live in the West, this is especially pronounced in one’s relationships with family. With friends, it’s a bit less clear.
Finding Family Where You Can
This is perhaps a good reason why the found family trope is quite popular. This is when there is a group of unlikely individuals, without immediate relations to one another, bonding over time and becoming more of a family than their blood-related family. Its appeal stems, perhaps, from the human need to find a connection. Humans are social creatures, and family is one of the most essential pillars we have.
There is More Than Blood: The Found Family Trope
While it’s been deliberately used more these days, found families aren’t a modern concept. There’ve been plenty of found families in pre-modern literature and folklore since forever. Orphaned children finding parents and siblings in unconventional households to outcasts and pariahs bonding and becoming a solid group of companions—the idea that we have the ability to choose our kin is a very relatable idea.
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But because of social and cultural shifts brought out by the turn of the 20th century, e.g., urbanization, industrial revolution, etc., traditional frameworks of family broke down. This change opened up opportunities for people to imagine new modes and forms of family, moving beyond just blood relations and moving on to shared experiences and values. This was compounded by the onset of the civil rights movement and the rise of feminism, which further brought new perspectives on family structures.
There is also a psychological dimension in the trope. Going back to the notion of humans being social creatures, found family presents a solution to the void of family. Humans, regardless of where they are, are always craving connection and belonging. When traditional networks fail to meet these needs, alternative forms of kinship are needed to fill those gaps. This is also a rebuke to the perennial idea that it is only with those with whom we share blood that any meaningful relationship can be forged. Families arise when there is community, support, and unconditional love. It doesn’t take someone worldly to tell you that even so-called biological families sometimes lack those.
Choosing a family of one’s own volition also aligns with the innate desire for autonomy and making one’s mark on the world. Self-determination is critical in found families. It’s a way of asserting one’s own agency and establishing a place where an individual can better explore themselves and their values. A found family is also a powerful substitute for those who have experienced trauma from their biological families.
Photo by Helena Lopes
There is More Than Blood: Exploring Themes
From a narrative standpoint, the found family trope is also very rich in theme and story. Many families come about when individuals experience shared hardship, showcasing the inherent resilience that the human spirit has. The trope is also a great exploration of how people find their own place in the world and why individuals yearn for a sense of belonging. This then leads to the investigation of what family truly means and how traditional family structures may or may not work for specific people. The trope can also be a springboard for exploring issues of social inequality, discrimination, and marginalization.
Portrayals of Found Family in Various Media
Classic works of literature like Oliver Twist and Little Women center on families in their narratives. On the silver screen, The Breakfast Club and The Goonies are also great portrayals, exploring the power of friendship and camaraderie. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Stranger Things, and The Umbrella Academy are also good examples from television.
For more, Rebecca Hendricks’s Hard Dog’s Night is a novel about a found family, a band, and an emotional connection. Click the link to order a copy of the book now!
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