As a family science major, I learn a lot about the different family makeups here in the United States and around the world. It is becoming more and more common to stray away from the “traditional” family. The idea of family styles changing is becoming increasingly publicized through the media, and we often don’t know it. I have noticed that music is a place where many artists are able to tell the story of a family who is different than the ideal family. Singers are also able to express how a family may look “regular,” but we don’t really know what’s going on behind closed doors. Every family is different and has its own unique ups and downs.

In the song “Family Portrait,” Pink uses her lyrics to explain how a family can appear so “normal," but there is so much more behind that. In the beginning of the song, she says, “It ain’t easy growing up in World War III.” She’s referring to how there is tension and fighting in her family, and it’s a negative environment to live in. Towards the end of the song, she sings, “In our family portrait, we look pretty happy, we look pretty normal, let’s go back to that.” Pink is showing how people in the house can recognize the problems, but people outside the house don’t see it. She wants her family to match this “ideal portrait,” but realistically, no one’s family is perfect like that.

One thing that’s becoming more common is divorce between parents. I am a child of divorced parents, and I know that this changes a family's experience. James TW sings “When You Love Someone” and shows through his music how emotional a divorce can be for a family.

The song is about a boy whose parents are getting divorced, and it’s a confusing time for him. He has a younger sister who might not understand what’s going on, just like him. The chorus of the song goes, “Sometimes moms and dads fall out of love. Sometimes two homes are better than one. Some things you can’t tell your sister ‘cause she’s still too young, yeah you’ll understand when you love someone.” This part of the song really tells listeners how love works; it doesn’t always work out, but we won’t really understand until we experience it.

Demi Lovato is known for telling stories through her music and bringing emotion to her lyrics. “For the Love of a Daughter” is definitely a storytelling and emotional song. This song is about how kids don’t always view their parents' actions as correct. Kids are smart; they know right from wrong, but sometimes people have a hard time realizing that just because they’re your parents doesn’t mean it’s okay for them to act that way. Kids want to be loved; they want to feel important and appreciated.

Lovato sings, “You have a hollowed-out heart but it’s heavy in your chest. I tried so hard to fight it but it’s hopeless, hopeless, you’re hopeless. Oh father, please father, I’d love to leave you alone but I can’t let you go. Oh father, please father, put the bottle down for the love of a daughter.” These lyrics are so heartfelt and explain so much about the relationship between the father and child. This is an example of how a child craves the love of a parent and knows when they’re not getting it. When she says, “put the bottle down," she is talking about how the father chooses drinking over the child. The child understands what’s going on and just wants to be loved.

These are just a few of the many songs that explain the different family experiences among us. No family is perfect; no family ever will be. As long as our families are safe and we are able to learn from negative experiences, that’s what matters. Family doesn’t always mean we need to be blood related. We all want to be loved, and sometimes, that comes from the family you never knew you had.