The structure of the family varies across different eras, countries, and cultures; yet, it consistently remains a key element in the formation of each individual’s identity. Recent findings from the “Life History” survey, published by INSEE, confirm that a majority of adults identify first and foremost as a father or mother, before seeing themselves as a spouse or simply as a man or woman. While the forms of unions have diversified, the desire to have a child and ensure their upbringing remains a strong and enduring aspiration over time. [author’s summary]