Why is the Nikon D3100 thought of as a camera for the family?

I really want to get the Nikon D3100 for me as a learning photographer but on the Nikon website it says that it is more for the family.
Why does it say that, and should I buy it?

Its a marketing gimmick

the D3100 is an excellent camera to learn on

L would agree. Even the best companies in the world, Canon and Nikon, want to sell their products.
Their marketing departments have all kinds of fodder to make you think of them.

Nikon makes excellent equipment just as Canon does and they'd both be excellent choices for a family camera. But these dslr cameras aren't gimmicks. They're intended for serious photography and if you've never operated one before you'll have to go through learning curve to become proficient.

Don't let your 6yr old play with it. It's not that family friendly.

It is marketing really, but the marketing does represent the type of user that Nikon is targeting. The camera is a consumer grade product, it ticks all the basic boxes for an SLR.

What the 3100 lacks is backwards compatibility. In the short run you may save money, but it forces you to buy modern lens which may be very costly for specialist products. In the long run you will be spending more money.

If you can afford to invest in a D90 or a second hand D300, you'll get more use out it. You'll be able to mount older lenses (particularly with the 300), including specialist products that are no longer supported on a 3100.

Buy a 3100 and you'll probably need to get a D7000 or D400 (expected to be announced later this month) in 18-24 months time.

The D3100 features Nikon's Guide Mode with intuitive controls and on-board assistance helping you take better pictures every step of the way. The D3100 camera includes a beautiful body design and style. This model gives a surprise by showing a movie-recording function. Nikon D3100 increased becoming the extremely very first digital slr answer from Nikon, that could record videos with full Hd resolution. The availability for advanced capabilities and simplified, then this camera is fantastic for the beginner or even hobbyist photography. The D3100 together with automatic dust cleansing function.It's an extremely beneficial function for that Entry-Level digital photographer as They just don't understand how you can cleanse the look Sensor.

In summation then, the D3100 feels solidly constructed when gripped in the palm, is fast and responsive, and is capable of some sharp and colourful results thanks to combination of sensor and supplied 18-55mm test lens and is fairly priced. As such the D3100 is something of a no brainer choice for anyone who doesn't already own a digital SLR, but desires the more professional in appearance results that such a set up can bring.