can we still call it as a family?

family can be a group of good friends that life so closely together as you have stated its an extended family if you will and does not have to be blood family

I think that they can be called a family as they are brought up and grew up together as a family. They are the closest to one another in this case even if they do not have their own parents. Literally speaking, a family is called a family mainly because of the family structure. But in the case mentioned above, it absolutely can be called a family. Thanks for the discussion.

I think that it is the best description that they can have for the kind of relationship they have. Since they have no parents to take care of them, they take care with one another. And that is the concept of a family- being able to give love and care to the people anytime, all the time.

Family are the people who do care of you! To my opinon it has nothing to do with a so called blood bond.

For me,family is the one who always there to lift us up when we our down. Family is there in time of difficulties in any aspect, either in any situation like disasters or in terms of financial constraints. Family supports as emotionally, spiritually, mentally and physically well being. If they have done this I think they can be considered as family.

I think we can call family any form of relationship which creats a family enviroment. It maybe not the traditional family but it's a family after all.

Sure, family isn't always blood. I have friends who are like family because they have been with me through tough times. My family was there but my friends are the ones who really understood what was going on. Parents deal with kids differently than friends do. You can talk to your friends about stuff that you cannot talk to your folks about. Everybody needs friends, they keep you on track and love you for who you are.