Cultural Immersion Project

Deaf Culture

The family interviewed has a high school boy, Alex, who is deaf. His mother, Sylvia, is his special education teacher who signs for him every day in his classes. The mother with the father’s help at times also teach a Bible study class at their church for Deaf people. The activities that I chose were to attend class with Alex to see how he communicates in class and with his peers. I also decided to attend a Bible study class to get an understanding of the culture. Below are interview questions and answers for Alex and his mother, Sylvia. I am also attaching a link for the video of the Bible study.

1. Describe a typical family composition within your culture (size, relationships among relatives, how many are deaf). Typically, Deaf people (90%) are born to hearing parents.  Most of these hearing families know little to no sign language hence putting the deaf kids behind from the start.  Due to a lack of language, there is little to no family bonding.  Only 2-3% of the population is deaf. 

2. At what age, were you and your family impacted? Can you describe the experiences behind finding out? Deafness is normally diagnosed at birth.  In the past, diagnosis was much later due to a lack of technology

3. What are the authority structure and the roles of family members in this culture? Sadly, due to a lack of bonding/communication, Deaf children have to look outside the family for role models.  They attach themselves to people who can communicate with them.

4. What challenges do you face in life being deaf? Family relationships, friendships with hearing people

5. What are the attitudes toward marriage and family life? Alex’s response - Deaf kids don’t understand love and what marriage means until they are much older.  Again this is due to a lack of family bonding/communication.

6. How are children viewed and their roles? Many times they are misunderstood.  Without communication, frustration builds and a Deaf child’s behavior often misunderstood.  

7. How young did the children start learning to communicate through sign language? The age where learning language depends on the parents and whether they know sign or not.  This is what puts them behind in education.  They are fully able to learn if they have language at an early age.

8. What are the common attitudes toward work and career? What struggles might be faced? Deaf people struggle with finding jobs again due to language barriers.

9. What are prevalent attitudes toward education? Deaf kids don’t like school of course because of the language.  They do ok with an interpreter but still struggle with the English in all classes.

10. What role does religion play in the culture? Most deaf children do not have access to religion.  Few churches offer interpreting services, and if they do, few have qualified/skilled interpreters to make the message clear.

11. What are the intergenerational issues of families who are deaf? There ARE deaf families with many generations of deafness.  In those families the bonds and communication are strong.   Their issues tend to be inclusiveness.  If you happen to be a hearing member, you might be viewed as an outsider.

12. Discuss adjustments to living in the U.S. and differences for the 1st, 2nd, and subsequent generations.

13. What are the cultural strengths for coping and adjusting in the past? In the present?

14. How are conflicts and disagreements resolved between members of the culture? The Deaf community have strong bonds if you are considered deaf.   However, if you have just a little hearing loss, or wear a cochlear implant...You won’t be accepted.  

15. What thoughts, beliefs, attitudes are most important in this culture? Deaf people want to be seen as equals to hearing people.  “They can do anything hearing people can do except hear.  They want the world to see their communication as a legit language.

16. How has being deaf and/or having a family member deaf had an impact on your life? How has it impacted your world view? I can see how smart my deaf family members are.  It has caused me to work harder to find potential and gifts in all people.

17. Are there ways this culture is discriminated against? What ways? Have you had such experiences?

18. How does this culture group define success?

19. How do you align with the traditions and expectations of your culture?

20. Are there cultural expectations you would rather do without?

21. What are the strengths in your culture that you would not give up?

Areas to Address:

· Description of the group

· Values/Belief Orientations

· Social Interactions (relationships within and between groups)

· Religious/Spiritual Beliefs

· Roles and Expectations

· Language and Communication (verbal and nonverbal)

· Perceptions of the world

· Methods of ensuring conformity

· Methods of conflict resolution

· Group personality

· What is most important to achieve (in a lifetime)

· Unique behaviors and their meaning

· Historical events of critical importance in this cultural group

· Critical information relevant to understanding this culture

· Key ideas and behaviors that would help someone relate to this culture