Associations are a way of connecting with people.
My family is one of the first associations I made in me life. It gave me a stimulating environment to grow, I did not have to do much to create this association. My first group of friends was my first voluntary association. Association come and go, but some are strong.
Later a made associations with other people. And I made a strong association with my current wife to create a new family which created the first association of my children.
Associations will help you to get forward in live.