Character Trait: Familial

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait Familial refers to a person's strong connection or devotion to their family. This trait is often associated with individuals who prioritize the well-being of their family members above their own interests. It can manifest in various ways, such as being protective of family members, spending quality time with them, or making sacrifices to support them. Overall, a character with the Familial trait is someone who values family ties and considers their loved ones as an important part of their identity and purpose in life.

Possible causes of being familial

You might want to weave these into your character's back story to build a more believable character.

• Cultural or societal norms: in some cultures or social groups, certain personality traits may be more desirable or expected, leading individuals to adopt them as part of their own identity.
• Personal experiences and interactions: past experiences, relationships, and interactions with family members or close friends may shape an individual's personality and influence the way they behave and interact with others.
• Family background and upbringing: an individual may have grown up in a family where certain traits or behaviors were highly valued and reinforced, leading them to adopt these as part of their own personality.
• Genetics: certain personality traits may be inherited or have a genetic component that predisposes someone to behave in a certain way.

Behaviors associated with being familial

You may be able to show your character's trait of familial by using these.

• Showing loyalty towards family members
• Celebrating important family events and traditions
• Showing affection and care towards family members
• Respecting family values and traditions
• Being supportive and understanding during difficult times
• Spending time with family and prioritizing their needs
• Taking responsibility for family members' well-being
• Forgiving and reconciling with family members after conflicts

Attitudes associated with being familial

You may be able to show familial through their attitudes.

• Tends to be protective of family members and their well-being
• Prioritizes spending time with family over other activities or commitments
• May experience guilt or shame when they feel they have let down a family member
• Willingness to make sacrifices for the benefit of loved ones
• May struggle with boundaries or saying no to family members' requests
• Deeply invested in maintaining family traditions and values
• Emotionally connected to family members, both in good times and bad
• Strong sense of loyalty to family members

Thoughts and struggles associated with being familial

Here are some ideas for things your familial character may think or struggle with.

• A desire to please their family and gain their approval, leading to feelings of inadequacy or guilt if they feel they have let them down.
• A strong sense of loyalty and devotion to their family, even if it means sacrificing their own needs and desires.
• A deep emotional connection to their family, which can result in intense joy or pain depending on the state of their relationships.
• A sense of duty to carry on family traditions and values, even if they don't fully align with their personal beliefs.
• A desire to protect their family from harm, which can lead to overprotectiveness or controlling behavior.
• A struggle to balance their own desires and goals with the expectations and traditions of their family.
• A tendency to prioritize the needs of their family over their own well-being, leading to potential burnout or resentment.
• A fear of disappointing or hurting their loved ones, leading to a tendency to avoid conflict or difficult conversations.

Emotions associated with being familial

Here are some ideas for emotions your familial character may experience.

• Love
• Protection
• Unity
• Acceptance
• Understanding
• Loyalty
• Forgiveness
• Tradition
• Nurturing
• Devotion
• Responsibility
• Support
• Belonging
• Sacrifice

Facial expressions associated with being familial

Here are some facial expressions your familial character may exhibit.

• Laughing with joy
• Raising eyebrows in surprise
• Squinting eyes in suspicion
• Frowning in concern
• Smiling warmly
• Nodding in agreement
• Puckering lips in disapproval
• Winking playfully
• Tilting head in curiosity

Body language associated with being familial

Here is some body language your familial character may exhibit.

• Nodding and using affirmative gestures to show agreement and support
• Warm and welcoming smile
• Using gentle touches on the arm or back to convey comfort and care
• Leaning in towards the person to show interest and engagement
• Mirroring the other person's body language to show empathy and connection
• Eye contact that is friendly and inviting
• Open arms for hugs and physical touch
• Using a calm and reassuring tone of voice to convey safety and security

Behaviors associated with being familial

Here are some behaviors your familial character may exhibit.

• Forgiving and reconciling with family members after conflicts
• Spending time with family and prioritizing their needs
• Respecting family values and traditions
• Taking responsibility for family members' well-being
• Showing affection and care towards family members
• Showing loyalty towards family members
• Being supportive and understanding during difficult times
• Celebrating important family events and traditions

Growth and evolution of familial characters

Here are some ways that your familial character may grow and evolve over time.

• Challenging traditional family expectations and creating a new path
• Learning to appreciate and value family relationships more
• Learning to forgive a family member for past wrongs
• Confronting and resolving a family secret or mystery
• Overcoming a family-related trauma or conflict
• Reconnecting with estranged family members
• Breaking free from a toxic family dynamic
• Discovering a long-lost family member or connection

Stereotypes of familial characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical familial character like these examples.

• The stereotypical sibling rivalry where siblings constantly fight and don't get along.
• The one-dimensional character who is only defined by their familial role and doesn't have any other personality traits.
• The absent parent who is never around and doesn't play an active role in their child's life.
• The rebellious teenager who constantly disobeys their parents without any real reason.
• The abusive or neglectful parent who mistreats their child.
• The distant parent who doesn't show any affection towards their child.
• The overprotective parent who doesn't allow their child to make their own decisions.
• The perfect child who always obeys their parents and never makes a mistake.

Negatives of being familial

Here are some potential negatives of being familial. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

• Family drama and conflicts can cause stress and emotional turmoil.
• Familial expectations and pressure to conform can limit individuality and creativity.
• Family secrets and lies can lead to trust issues and strained relationships.
• Overprotectiveness can lead to stifling relationships and lack of independence.
• Family obligations can take priority over personal goals and desires.

Positives of being familial

Here are some potential positives of being familial. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

• They may be very protective of their family members and willing to go to great lengths to keep them safe from harm.
• A familial character is usually very loyal and committed to their family members.
• They may have a deep sense of tradition and cultural values that they want to uphold within their family.
• Familial characters often have strong bonds with their parents, siblings, children, or other relatives, which can make for interesting relationship dynamics in a story.
• They tend to prioritize their family's well-being and happiness above their own.
• Familial characters can be very nurturing and caring, often taking on a caregiving role within their family.

Verbal expressions of familial characters

Here are some potential expressions used by familial characters.

• Discussing family traditions or rituals
• Asking about family members' well-being and activities
• Sharing stories or memories about family experiences
• Referring to a family member's personality or traits in conversation
• Referring to family members as "mom," "dad," "brother," "sister," etc.
• Using family-related idioms or phrases, such as "blood is thicker than water"
• Mentioning family values or beliefs
• Expressing concern or care for family members

Relationships of familial characters

Here are some ways that being familial could affect your character's relationships.

• Familial people may be more inclined to develop close relationships with people who share similar family values and traditions.
• They may value loyalty and commitment in their relationships and may be more forgiving of their family members' mistakes.
• Familial people tend to prioritize their family members over others and may have strong bonds with their relatives.
• They may prioritize maintaining harmony and stability within their family, even if it means sacrificing their own desires or needs.
• They may have a greater sense of responsibility towards their family members and may feel guilty if they cannot meet their family's expectations.
• Familial people may struggle with setting boundaries with their family members, which can sometimes lead to resentment or frustration.

Examples from books of characters who are familial

• The Compson Family from The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
• The Buendía Family from One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
• The Lannister Family from A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin
• The Bundren Family from As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
• The Stark Family from A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin
• The March Family from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• The Joad Family from The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
• Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• The Weasley Family from Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Writing exercises for writing familial characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write familial characters.

• Use dialogue to convey your character's familial relationships, including how they speak to and about their family members.
• Use symbolism to represent your character's family, such as a family heirloom or tradition that holds special meaning to them.
• Create a conflict that arises from your character's familial relationships, forcing them to confront their beliefs and values.
• Write a letter or journal entry from your character's perspective, reflecting on their relationship with their family and how it has impacted their life.
• Think about your character's family background and how it has influenced their personality, beliefs, and values.
• Create a family tree or genealogy for your character's family, including important events or milestones that have occurred within the family.
• Write a scene where your character interacts with their family members, either positively or negatively.
• Write a flashback scene that shows an important moment in your character's family history, such as a family reunion or a significant event that affected the family.
• Write a scene where your character learns something new about their family, such as a long-lost relative or a family secret.