THE DEFINITION OF FAMILY IN INTERNATIONAL AND EU LAW

The family is the oldest social group. It can be observed at all the stages of the development of particular societies and in all countries, regardless of their political systems. Therefore it is a natural element of the social structure, defined as the basic unit of social life. Along with socio-cultural changes, it undergoes various transformations. The changes affect the adopted models of family life or intra-family relations. They also leave a mark on the concept of family itself. Its definition and status are determined by factors such as one's place of residence, being part of a specific social structure (education, professional group, financial situation), and religious affiliation. Another relevant factor is one's political affiliation. Although the family is evolving (e.g. the way we understand it and its functions are changing), it remains the basic unit within which specific processes take places, such as passing on values, norms, and patterns of behavior. The article aims to present selected international, European, and Polish legal solutions about the definition of the family and some of its features. The interpretation of international standards relating to the family and its members aims to answer the question of whether the concept of the family itself is permanent in the law, or whether it is evolving. The research method used in the paper is the dogmatic and legal method. The article ends with conclusions.