nonrelatives

Nonrelatives are individuals who are not related to a specified person by blood, marriage, or legal adoption. The term is used in sociology, demography, and related social sciences to distinguish people who belong to a person's kinship network from those who do not. Nonrelatives can include friends, neighbors, coworkers, classmates, roommates, or members of community groups, as well as informal caregivers who are not related by family ties.

In research and analysis, nonrelatives are often studied in relation to social support, caregiving, and household composition. They may contribute to social capital, provide practical assistance, or serve as emergency contacts. The distinction between relatives and nonrelatives helps researchers understand the structure of social networks and the distribution of resources within a community or household.

In legal or institutional contexts, nonrelatives may be relevant for decisions about guardianship, consent, or access to information when relatives are not available, though specific rights vary by jurisdiction. Cultural norms influence how often nonrelatives fill roles that are traditionally associated with family in a given society.

Classification challenges arise because the boundary between relatives and nonrelatives can be fluid in some cultures or contexts, such as among adopted children, stepfamilies, or close-knit communities. Researchers often rely on self-reported relationships and contextual definitions to determine status.

See also kinship, social network, caregiving.