What "Family Oriented" Means

Being family oriented can carry several meanings, depending on the context in which it is being used -- but at its core, being family oriented is appreciating your family, your relationship and the relationship that your partner shares with his or her family. Being family oriented is a state of mind that guides your actions with friends, family and in relationships. Individuals who consider themselves family oriented may come from a strong religious background, may have a tightly knit family, or may long to start a family with the right person.

Being family oriented does not necessarily mean that you must spend all of your free time entertaining your parents or your girlfriend's grandparents. Being family oriented can also mean that you are committed to your relationship, want to spend time with each other and look forward to each other's company. This can include being social with mutual friends, going out on dates and generally enjoying the time that you spend together.

Family oriented activities can sometimes involve someone's entire family, from your date's grandparents to her nieces and nephews. This may include family dinners, gathering together to watch a football game or getting together for weekly family game nights. Family oriented activities are meant to foster and strengthen relationships, build memories and remind families why they want to spend time with one another.

If the person you are dating is seeking someone who is family oriented, this may be a way of saying that she is looking for a relationship that has the potential to turn into something more serious than just a casual date. While dating someone who is family oriented does not necessarily mean that you should have an engagement ring and wedding venue picked out by the second date, it does mean that this person is more interested in pursuing a seriously relationship as opposed to a short-lived fling.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were over 11 million one-parent family households in 2010. Even dating services such as Match.com are reporting an increase in single parents using their services, as opposed to singles without children. Whether you have children of your own or are dating someone with children, being family oriented can mean that you are both comfortable including children in your life and have a desire to have children in the future.