  We propose an alternative definition for families of stable pairs $(X,D)$
over a possibly non-reduced base when $D$ is reduced, by replacing $(X,D)$ with
an appropriate orbifold pair $(\mathcal X,\mathcal D)$. This definition of a
stable family ends up being equivalent to previous ones, but has the advantage
of being more amenable to the tools of deformation theory. Moreover, adjunction
for $(\mathcal X,\mathcal D)$ holds on the nose; there is no correction term
coming from the different. This leads to the existence of functorial gluing
morphisms for families of stable surfaces and functorial morphisms from $(n +
1)$ dimensional stable pairs to $n$ dimensional polarized orbispace. As an
application, we study the deformation theory of some surface pairs.
