Being related to someone doesn't mean that they love or even like you and it surely doesn't mean that you must love or like them. It would be awesome to live in this fantasy world where families all love each other and follow the golden rule, but there are way too many examples in this world of behavior by parents and other family members that involves physical, sexual or psychological abuse to ever make some of the blanket statements that have been made in this thread.
I don't think anyone in this thread doesn't value the idea of family. For those of us who have an issue with a family member, it didn't happen overnight.
Bobby took my cupcake! I'll hate him forever!
My father changed his behavior towards me the day I came out. He's never hit me, other than spankings as a child, and he's never directly said anything derogatory to me. What he has done is make it obvious that my two other brothers are *his* children. I still love him and for the past 15 years I've tried to make him proud of me, or even notice me. I won't list all of the things I've tried to do to gain his approval, because the list is too long and pathetic. This past weekend, I watched 10 hours of sports with him because that is what he wanted to do. He didn't make any effort to ask about me the entire trip. Knowing that there are others out there who have been beat or sexually assaulted, I try to remember that this man fed me and didn't kick me out. I should be thankful for what I do have and not complain. I try to remember that everyday. I'm close to my mother and my older brother and that makes up for some of the psychological damage my father has caused.
In a sense, I'm thankful that there are people who don't understand what it is like. It gives me hope that I could have children and avoid the mistakes my father made with me.
I will not criticize others who have been so damaged by family members that they choose to avoid them.