For this assignment I interviewed my daughter (26 years old), her boyfriend's mother (55 years old), and the mother's daughter (12 years old). My daughter defined culture as a group of people who share the same beliefs and diversity as multiple cultures that come together. The mother said culture was everything that goes with an ethnic group such as their social norms and living environment. The 12 year old said culture is different religions and different countries and the word diversity reminded her of Martin Luther King's I have a dream speech.
Surface culture was evident in the answers I received such as religion, beliefs, and social norms. Some aspects that were omitted were deep culture aspects such as values, recreation, work, intergenerational relationships, and extended family relationships (Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards, 2010).
In thinking about how other people's definition of culture and diversity, I realize that I have learned a lot about these topics. I had limited definitions for these terms before this class as well. Now, I know there is so much to learn about individuals past what can be seen. I know that there is so much that influences one's culture and the practices, beliefs, and customs a group may practice. I also know that it is not appropriate to infer that a person follows every practice, belief, or custom just because they may be a member of a particular group of people. Everyone is an individual first.
Hi Laurie. Thank you for sharing your family’s definition and how each one interpreted culture and diversity in different perspectives and in different age groups, especially your youngest one. It is very important at her age that she and many young children know the outcome of knowing cultures from other countries. My grandchildren haven’t been introduced to these topics and I believe they should, while they are still young (6 and a 10 year old). Although Virginia has the the largest Navy facility, the community is filled with diverse children…
ReplyDeleteLaurie,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post!!! I agree that this class has enhanced my knowledge on culture and diversity. Childcare Professionals need to know children and family culture to implement a warm, structured, and safe environment for learning. Thank you for sharing your post.
Chere'e
I agree, Laurie. I have a deeper understanding of culture after this week as well. I appreciate the visual aid about surface and deep culture. My trip to China last summer was an experience in Culture on steroids! I think it was the best way to help me understand just how much of what we do is driven by culture. Thanks for your post this week.
ReplyDeleteLaurie, I think it is so valuable to see the opinion and outlook of the 12 year old child. She has an open and honest opinion that shows us the social identity that she has established with culture diversity. What a wonderful post and great blog. Young children give us the most honest answers and it seems that surface culture is how most of us see and understand others around us. Melissa
ReplyDeleteLaurie-
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post this week. The comment you made about recognizing that just because someone is part of a certain culture it doesn't mean that they practice every part of that culture is so true. There is diversity amongst each group. Good job!
-Melanie
Laurie, I enjoyed reading your post. I share your sentiment about this class. I feel so fortunate that I have gained so much knowledge about the subject of culture and diversity as a result of what I have learned, so far, in this class. I look forward to what the remaining weeks have to offer. I also had limited definitions for these terms which focused only on surface culture. I have learned that culture is so much more than surface appearances and stereotypes related to those surface appearances.
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