Define voluntary kin, and describe the four different kinds of voluntary kin relationships.

What will be an ideal response?

- Voluntary kin (sometimes known as fictive kin) are individuals considered to be family regardless of their legal or blood connection. One study found four different kinds of voluntary kin relationships:
* Substitute voluntary kin fill in for other family members who have died or are out of the picture. For example, after losing a parent, one might view a nurturing neighbor as a parental figure.
* Supplemental voluntary kin occur parallel to existing family relationships, often meeting a void or deficit with an actual family member. For example, when someone is not close to their own biological sibling, they might instead view a friend as like a brother or sister.
* Convenience voluntary kin arise because the context makes them easily accessible. For example, someone might view their classmates or co-workers as family because they see them every day.
* Extended family voluntary kin are relationships with extended family members that are closer than might typically occur. For example, one might feel closer to an aunt than to their mother.