The definition of a family was the topic of one KSPR Daily Download segment. A north St. Louis suburb said a man, his girlfriend, and her 3 kids could not get an occupancy permit to live in the area because they didn’t meet the town’s definition of a family. You can read more about the story by following the link in the “Related Content” box of this study.

We asked if you consider an unmarried couple with kids a family. We had many responses from all different angles, but just about everyone said they do consider that a family. What do you think? Leave your thoughts below. Here are your Talk Backs…

“Yes! What else would they be? In Gods eyes they are family! We all are!”

“Of course they are a family...what does a piece of paper have to do with feelings and bonds?”

“Sure do.”

“Yes.”

“Yes, marriage should not be taken lighty and if your not ready to marry dont.”

“If their a man and a women.”

“Marriage is man made. Family is one of the most beautifully natural things in this world and should not even be compared to the throws of man.”

“Yes it is... cause of the common bond that a family shares married or not.”

“Yes what else would they be.” –Amber

“If they live 2gether as a couple with children 2gether then yes thats a family.”

“A family is a group of people willing 2 put love time effort 2 c the ones they love be happy and successful. u dont have 2 b married 2 give that.”

“Yes because anyone with kids married or not they still are a family.”

“Yes. Unconventional bt family.”

“It should absolutely be considered a family!”

“Yes, I think if your couple and not married and you have kids. You should be able to live whatever you want to live!!” –Sue

“If they live together yeah.” –Jason

“No.” –Jamie

“I think that a family is a family no matter what. Whether your married or not, your still a family.” –Angel

“I do not consider an unmarried couple to be a family.” -Randall, Springfield

“Only small-minded people would impose such ridiculous restricitons. Who would want to live in such a town??” -Ann & Tom, Eureka Springs, AR

“A family is someone who will take care of kids the correct way and each other. You have people out there that may not be the bilogical parent but they may be better parents then the father or mother that is missing in action because of their choice. The point is there is nobody that can say what a family is because there are people that would take care of some kids that aren't even their bilogically. As long as there is love (TRUE) it shouldn't matter!!!!”

“If a man really loves a woman he will make a lifetime commitment to her before
living together with her. The children are an insignificant item to be pulled around from relationship to relationship and house to house. They split, blend, chop, and confuse families and noone thinks it is a big deal. I'm glad my parents kept me in mind when deciding whether to keep their marriage commitment to one another!” –Jody

“Whose standard will we use for the definition of a family? I choose God's standard, which says that they would NOT be considered a family.” –Tim, Willard

“Let's be real here. Many "couples" in this area are not getting married to take advantage of the system and draw social services they are not entitled to. How can someone "not be ready to be married" but ready to have kids? and in fact have multiples.”

“No, an umnmarried couple is not a family. A couple who avoids marriage does so for a reason. A family is committed to each other. Too many people want it both ways.You're either married, or shacking up, and sleeping together does not earn the privlege of being called a family.Get married, and get over yourselves.And yes a piece of paper does matter.If two people are devoted to each other, then why refuse to commit? No commitment means someone wants a way out. Thats called a hobby,not a family.”

“If someone buys a house why is anyone even trying to pretend they have a right to say who lives there.It seems to be another case of a Govt. organization sticking it's nose where it doesn't belong.”

“The only way to stop towns from making these discriminatory rules is to amend Missouri's Human Rights law or amend the federal Fair Housing Act so it prohibits marital status discrimination in every state. The Alternatives to Marriage Project is a national nonprofit dedicating to fairness for all individuals, partners, parents and families. AtMP has been calling for these amendments since 2006. Join us!” –Nicky

“I don't agree with their family situation, for sure... but I don't know if the government should tell someone where they can live if they are not married.” –Elisha

“A family is between 1 MAN and 1 WOMAN!!! And the same token there are consequences when you committ sins. Couple should not live together without being married in my opinion. That in itself should be against the law. That way this country would have more morals.” –Joe

“I think this community needs to look up the word family in the dictionary. These parents are taking care of these children in the same home and providing for them and loving them in my mind that is a family.” –Beverly

“FAMILY!!!! People together who love eachother and children!!! Should not matter if they are related or married... This FAMILY should not have to fight for there freedom to where they want live because they are not married.” –Sharon

“Just goes to show how ignorant some people are in this state. I never in my life have ever heard of such a thing. This day in age a family can be a grandparent caring for there grandchildren, or an aunt or uncle doing the same. Leave it to white America to be so ignorant and blind!!” –Rachel

“Oh yes there was marriage back in Jesus's time, matter fact, there weren't people "living" together, people were shunned upon that had sex before marriage. by the sounds of things, this town lives by Biblical principles, which there is nothing wrong with it. our landlord doesn't rent to couples that aren't married, because they are christians just like my husband and I are. there needs to be more people like that in this world and there wouldn't be the problems we have in todays society.” –Jenny

“I think this is crazy, my boyfriend and i have been together 6yrs.now and though he is the father of our 2 girls doesn't mean we are not family just because we dont have a piece of paper to prove it.. No one can say you are not family.” –Kelly

“Yes,I think that unmarried couples are to considered a family.As myself we have 4 kids and we live together.We are a family.A piece of paper doesn't bother us.We are not ready to get married.So we are choosing not too.But we are still a family.” –Dana

“Yes they are a family.” –Tim

“That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. I am glad they are fighting it.”

“My partner, Russ, and I raised his "legal son" (adopted)though there was no biological "blood" in the household. We are proud of our now grown son and always have and will consider ourselves a family graced with love, caring and respect for one another. My mother once commented on the closeness of the three of us, and how remarkable our situation is. Can family actually be defined with words? And how can it be defined by a town. Family is in the members hearts.” –Michael

“I feel it is none of there business they were willing to sell them the house. Just because you names aren't the same doesn't meen you aren't a family and what gives the town the right to say who is family and who isn't?” –Paula

“I think this is wrong. If they are able to pay their bills it should not matter if they are a "FAMILY" or not. I was once unmarried with children and no one put a Lable on that. I does not determine who you are as people if the children are related to one or the other person. If he is taking resposibality for all of them then I feel that they are a family and let them rent or buy as long as they are not hurting anyone. Fight for your rights. You do not deserve to be treated this way.” –Gayle

“I think that is discrimtion. I have step- children. Just because the childern don't to both of them dont mean any thing.” –Trish\