Sophie Miles

2

Week 1 Assignment: Socialization and Diversity Worksheet

Student Name:

Part 1: Socialization

The following exercise is an attempt to make visible the invisible process called Primary Socialization that you and every human being begins to experience immediately from birth. 

To help you begin to examine your invisible socialization process: 

Complete the sentences below with the first word or phrase that comes immediately to mind. Please be aware that there are no right or wrong answers to this exercise. 

1. I come from a people who__never had much, but were well like and loved hard_______________________________________ 

1. I learned early on that family was_first priority_______________________________

1. I learned early on that my home was_a safe haven________________________________

1. I learned early on that older people were_to be listened to_____________________________

1. I learned early on that siblings were your friend________________________________

1. I learned early on that food was_not to be wasted____________________________________

1. I learned early on to expect__nothing______________________________________

1. I learned early on that my opinions were_of no importance_____________________________

1. I learned early on that my abilities were__top notch_____________________________

1. I learned early on that my feelings were___not to be worn on my sleeves___________________________

1. I learned early on that praise was__important__________________________________

1. I learned early on that punishment was __guaranteed_____________________________

1. I learned early on to respect ____all elders____________________________________

1. I learned early on to fear__no one_________________________________________

1. I learned early on to trust ___my grandparents_______________________________________

1. I learned early on not to trust__anyone that I didn’t know______________________________________

1. I learned early on not to__go down the wrong path__________________________________________

1. I learned early on that work was__important if you want to eat___________________________________

1. I learned early on that education was__not that important___________________________

1. I learned early on that material resources were___hard to come by________________________

1. I learned early on that money was__important___________________________________

1. I learned early on that religious expression was__welcomed________________________

1. I learned early on that love was___important____________________________________

1. I learned early on that success was _not for the poor__________________________________

1. I learned early on that violence was___all around_________________________________

1. I learned early on that competition was__dumb_______________________________

1. I learned early on that cooperation was___important______________________________

1. I learned early on that people who looked different were ___less than________________

1. I learned early on that my neighborhood was__my safe place__________________________

1. I learned early on that the world beyond my neighborhood was___evil___________

Part 2: Diversity in Your World

To help you acknowledge the diversity or homogeneity of your surroundings:

Fill in the appropriate boxes in the table below, identifying the predominant gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, ability, religion, and veteran status of your community and workplace.

	Gender	Race	Ethnicity	Sexuality	Ability	Religion	Veteran Status
I am	female	black	AA	heterosexual		Christian	N/A
My immediate family members are	both	mixed race		heterosexual		Christian	N/A
My classmates in school were	both	All races	All races	All sexes		All religions
My teachers in school were	both	All races		All sexes		All religions
My friends are	both	all races	all races	all sexes		all religions
The people I work with are	both	all	all	all		all
My landlord is	male	white	caucasian	all		All
My healthcare providers are	Both	All races	all races	all		all
Proprietors of local stores are	Both	All races	All races	All		All
Clerks at my supermarket are	Both	All races	All races	all		All
My neighbors are	both	White, black	African American, caucasian	heterosexual		all

After you have taken stock of the diversity in your world, reflect on your completed table. Answer the following questions in the space provided:

1. What has this exercise revealed about your initial exposure to other cultures?

2. What is the difference between initial or casual exposure to people of other cultures (e.g., dining out at ethnic restaurants, having casual, fleeting contact at work or at school) and the ability to truly understand their attitudes, values, and perspectives? Does your current exposure include casual contact or more meaningful connections?

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