Disclaimer: i kin predominantly for genuine coping reasons, but to varying extremes, depending on the kin. I don't choose my kin’ s, in either case. i am aware that i sometimes kin problematic characters or kin from problematic sources; i' m already aware. i can assure you that i do not approve of certain actions my kintypes.
(Keep in mind, these are MY definitions)
the short answer is that ‘kinning’ or having a ‘kin’ means you relate to that character (that you kin) in one way or another. it can be minor or major, you can also kin multiple characters, and characters with a different age/gender/race than you. kinning is not limited to how much you act like a character, or share their personality traits. you can kin a character based on trauma and etc. so that being said, even if you see someone with ‘abnormal’ kin, do not automatically assume that person is wrong, or a bad person. Also, kin’ s can frequently change and or lose strength over time (let’s say, you begin to change as a person or etc). this is completely normal and doesn’ t invalidate anyone!
Kin: a character you relate to