Everyone agrees that the family is no longer what it used to be, and that is entirely true. Ever-changing family dynamics and structure make it extremely difficult to define a family. Due to modern changes in morals and general attitude towards relationships and commitment, the ideal of the extended family has disappeared. Today, same-sex marriage, partnered relationships, domestic partnerships, adoption, single parenthood and cohabitation are becoming commonplace: the traditional nuclear family consisting of a husband, wife and children no longer exists. is no longer the norm. Although the concept of traditional family has been redefined, family remains the most vital core that shapes a person's identity. Each human being is created by a mother and a father, each therefore receives a unique genetic identity from their parents. After birth, parents give their child a valuable social identification, a particular name. Birth and name determine a person's primary identity status. Subsequently, throughout life, parental guidance is essential to develop and maintain this integrity of identification and this sense of self. Parents are the first examples that children have in life and they imitate them. During their early childhood, they spend a lot of time with their parents; the influence of parents is considerable. They learn to take care of themselves and to give and receive love. Later, when they are toddlers, they are guided and socialized by their parents; they are almost an extension of their parents. Consciously or unintentionally, toddlers adopt many of their parents' attributes. If parental traits include respect, responsibility, honesty, loyalty, forgiveness and generosity, children generally learn this wide range of social skills. Additionally, it is within the family unit that children learn about various races or nationalities that can become very dangerous racists. In short, as parents play different roles in different stages of a person's life, parents exert the most significant influence on a person's physical, psychological and social well-being. Parents are influential simply because of their overwhelming presence and role in personality development. Idol, friend, teacher, supporter, guardian, mentor and advisor, parents are the perfect role models who shape the current and future life of an individual. Works Cited Meinke, Peter. “Advice to my son.” Read literature and write arguments. Ed. Missy James and Alan Merickel. 5th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2013. 439. Print. Schalet, Amy. “The Sleepover Question.” Reading literature and writingArgumentation. Ed. Missy James and Alan Merickel. 5th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2013. 483-84. Print.