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I feel that obviously blood relations have a head start in terms of a bond that is formed. However, I think that if that relationship cracks or breaks it can be harder to heal. Most people feel that blood bond should be unconditional and in most cases that is true, but in the cases that it does break I feel like those relationships are rarely ever put back together. ‘Kalayla’ shows hope for these situations at the end of the novel through Lina’s story. That being said, I do feel that the chosen bond between friends that become family can be much stronger than blood. It’s a relationship that has grown over time where love, trust and loyalty have been earned on both sides.

Since blood relartions are, well , blood relations, we always remember them and compare any new form relation to them because the former are a given in our life and the latter are a choice. We can always let go of someone ( not blood-bound) if we dont get along, therefore, if we happen to meet someone we connect with on deeper levels, we cherish it more. Contranstingly, blood relations are kind of taken for granted and since we can't kick them out of our lives at our will, we sometimes feel that self made relationships are stronger. Whereas, I believe blood relation can be similar it all depends on the qualities of the person.

While not always stronger, they are more stable because they are founded on mutual trust and respect. Each party has to willingly go an extra mile to accommodate the other thus laying a strong foundation for the relationship.

From personal experience I would say that it depends. Its not rare for someone to share a deeper bond with someone else other than their family.

It happens, sometimes. The fact that someone is your blood relation doesn't necessarily translate to them always having your back. Whereas someone you carefully select as a friend might.

Sometimes relation between humans can be stronger than the one with a blood relationship. Especially if they are distancing from each other.

It all depends on the individuals. Relationships formed by man-made can be stronger since it was groomed till it all blossom into love and trust. Relationship by blood is also strong and unique since we don't usually have to do anything special to form a strong bond.
Both relationships are strong and unique in their way depending on the individuals forming these relationships.

Most times, bonds with strangers usually come through for a person than a family bond. All bonds are unique in their special way though and they have a purpose.

Like Lena’s bond to Maureen and Kalayla is to bring reconciliation between mother and child.

This is a quite challenging question. Well, it depends. They all say that, "Blood is thicker than water". But I think, integrity is thicker than blood. Family is family - and family must always be prioritized. What if man-made relations are stronger than blood just like in Kalayla? Lena accepted and treated Maureen and Kalayla as her own. What does blood serve when family cannot even respect one's likings? The likings that is surely not bad?

I am afraid they are not. It is a rare case to find such a caring human-like Lena. Blood is thicker than water!

I find it hard to believe that relationships that are not from family last longer. I think family even though you clash most times, one can always go back. I can't speak for everyone because some families are toxic but it all depends on a person's experience. I would say as long as you have a tolerable family, your relationship will always be stronger.

The reality is blood is thicker than water. You might hate a family member for a grave sin done against you but that tie is hard to get rid off completely. We all lost some friends along the way, that we probably don't even remember, but we would remember losing a family member.

My honest opinion is that man made relations are stronger than blood. Blood relations are so much more judgemental than man made. Ninety persent of my man made realtions, are more to me like brothers and sisters than my own family is, sad to say. I never get judged by these relations, where when it comes to blood you always have to be what they want you to be. Exactly like Maureen's parents treated her. The minute she become her own person and made her own decisions, she stepped out of their box and that was not good enough for them, so they didnt want her anymore due to the 'scandal' and what it would do to their name. Its rather sad how your 'name' as parent could be worth more than loving your own flesh and bood.

No! I mean, you can't compare the feeling you have towards your schoolmate with the one you have towards your brother. Blood is thicker.

Sometimes the people we are related to by blood might not come through for us when we need them the most. Sometimes man made bond is way stronger than that of the blood relations. Lena is a great example of that, even though she could have ignored Kalayla and her mom, she took Kalayla as her granddaughter and Maureen as a daughter. Maureen's parents could have done better to respect their daughter's decision and not disown her. Jamal's family showed that some blood relations are strong though, I like the way he stood up for his brother everytime