Family Interview Essay Sample: American Culture and my Culture

Essay Instructions:

Interview a family member, and an individual from another culture with which you are unfamiliar. Some examples of an individual from another culture to consider for the assignment include a neighbor, coworker, patient, or friend. Please inform the individuals of the purpose of this assignment and make sure you receive their consent.
Interviews:
Review the "Family Interview" template prior to the interview. Additional space is designated on the template for you to create three additional questions to ask both interviewees (family member and person from another culture). Additional questions should be relevant to the readings or discussion and should provide value to the interview by helping to understand culture.
Some of the questions may include:
Family beliefs: Have they changed over generations?
Educational and occupational status in the culture and in the family
Communication methods: verbal and nonverbal
Current family goals/priorities
Family member roles and organizational systems
Spiritual beliefs: current practice and death and dying
Alternative lifestyles
Work attitudes and structure
Written Paper:
Using the "Family Interview" template, interview your designated family member and the person from another culture. Be sure to write your responses in a way that will assist you in writing your paper. After the interview is completed, write a paper of 750-1,000 words that includes the following:
An introductory paragraph with the reasons for selecting the interviewees.
A summary of the responses from the interview template gathered from the interviewees.
A comparison and contrast of your findings between the two interviewees.
A reflective concluding paragraph on how family roles affect the cultural domains and relationships for each individual.
General Requirements:
Submit both the completed "Family Interview" template and the written paper
It is important that people give you approval to use their personal stories prior to doing so. Please use this template and the following questions below when conducting your interviews. In addition to these questions, you are required to ask another three questions, which you are to include on this template. Please submit this template with your paper by the end of Module 2.
1. What are your family roles/gender roles? How are they the same as or different from those traditionally practiced by your culture (who is the head of the household, who makes decisions, how are decisions made, etc.)?
2. What does your culture and family see as primary family goals (education, marriage, etc.)?
3. What is your culture’s view on alternative lifestyles (living together prior to marriage, domestic partnerships, single parenting, etc.)?
4. What are your family’s religious beliefs, and have they changed over generations?
5. What are your family’s spiritual beliefs around death and dying?
6. What are your culture’s education and occupational status within the family unit?
7. What are your culture’s preferred communication methods (verbal and nonverbal)?
8. Additional question:
9. Additional question:
10. Additional question
Please follow this rubric
Assignment clearly describes all the main concepts surrounding family cultures. A full summary of the interview is given, with a minimum of 10 questions. Assignment clearly describes the differences and similarities between the cultures, as well as the roles the cultures share. Strong evidence of critical thinking is demonstrated.
Thesis and/or main claim are comprehensive; contained within the thesis is the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear.
There is a sophisticated construction of paragraphs and transitions. Ideas progress and relate to each other. Paragraph and transition construction guide the reader. Paragraph structure is seamless.
Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English.
All format elements are correct.
In-text citations and a reference page are complete and correct. The documentation of cited sources is free of error.

Essay Sample Content Preview:

Family Interview Paper
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Family Interview Paper
Our cultural background affects our perceptions of others, given the fact that the US is commonly referred to as a melting pot, it welcomes people from the different race who seek for a better way of life. Such diversity had made the US be one of the ideal countries to settle for many people at the same time created several challenges in understanding some of these cultural differences. During my recent interview with one of my co-workers from South America, I realized that their culture emphasizes on a collective approach compared to the American culture that promotes individualism (Nash, 2014). Below are details of the interview I conducted presenting some of the similarities and difference between the South American cultural practices and American culture.
Summary of the Interview Responses
During the interview, I used ten questions to guide the process; Mark was the key person during the interview. My coworker grew up in America; he embraced the cultural values of South Americans because he presented a detailed account of customs and traditions of South Americans. We discussed some of the similarity and difference that are apparent between the South American culture and my culture.
Comparison and Contrast of the Findings between the Two Interviewees
During the discussion, various similarities were apparent especially in family roles, according to the South American culture, male played dominant roles in the family. They are the main decision makers in a family; no one can question their authority. Men and women are viewed; differently, men are family providers. Women rarely work outside the home (Nash, 2014).
Similarly, in American women roles were limited to households until after the Second World War where they played important roles in shaping the country's economy. With the current economic trends, women in America and South America are taking up leadership roles. Women have opportunities to the work in male-dominated careers including being pilots and doctors.
In both cultures, the family is important because children learn important family values that are passed down from one generation to the other. However, according to the South American culture especially among Ecuadorians, family comes before other interests. Everyone is expected to work for the benefit of the household. According to the Ecuadorian culture, children are raised with gender specific roles; boy's duties are outdoors while girls work indoors helping with cleaning and cooking. As children grow, they might have the opportunity to attend school or can stay at home even when learning opportunities are available (Daniel et al., 2013).
Some of the major cultural differences include forms of communications, American value expression, especially during greetings. According to the South American culture, people are restrained from using actions and expressions. Communication is often formal and calm, which includes a friendly handshake. In America, children are encouraged at an early age to be independent and pursue their dreams; they are discouraged from depending on parents or frie...

Updated on January 26, 2024

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Family Interview Essay Sample: American Culture and my Culture

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