I think you have a very valid point, very aptly put. But when you speak of family and how we feel the need to "seek confirmation" - I guess it's a very natural process to want to be appreciated by people around you, especially the dear ones (blood relationships). While it's true that every individual is an entire universe in themselves, it's also true that humans aren't fashioned to be able to fully function alone - they thrive on love, appreciation, care and seek for the abundance of all that. The drive to achieve for the most of us comes directly from the need to be appreciated. Isn't that a major part of "self-actualization"?