Chapter 2
Cultural diversity and diversity in family structure: Family and Strengths and challenges
Ethnic Groups
Have different strengths that can be seen at
o Individual level
o Family level o
Cultural level
Diversity of different ethnic groups provides a broad range of options and ideas
oProvides a broad range of options and ideas
oImproves the ability to solve problems and create new ideas
Why culture matters
Everything in families happens within a cultural context
oDefinition of family
oHow intimacy is expressed
oWhat it means to be male and female
oRole expectations
Most often programs and policies focus on the values evident in mainstream society
Concepts of Race, Culture and ethnicity
Race- common physical characteristics of a group
oOriginally arose as a way to explain the diversity of the human population
worldwide
Ethnicity- refers to nationality or ancestry
oEthnicity and culture go hand and hand together
Culture- how people make sense of their environment and their experiences
oShapes our values, beliefs and practices
Determining membership in an ethnic or cultural group
oKey issue is whether the individual believes he or she is a member of that group
oClassification cannot be based solely
on: Religious views
Language
Ancestry
Physical characteristics
US demographics and future trends
The United States is more ethnically diverse than ever before
The most recent census indicated the population distribution is as follows
o White 72%
o Hispanic or Latino 16%
o African American or Black 13%
o Asian 6%
o American Indian and Alaska native 1%
1
Increasing diversity in American from 2000 to 2050:
Ethnic group “quick facts”
The population is largest ethnic group and the fastest-growing Hispanic
minority population
Only 8% of are foreign bornAfrican Americans
More recent immigrants are from Vietnam, Laos, and CambodiaAsian
Asian Americans have the highest income level of all minority groups and higher
than whites
There are more than 560 tribes that make up the American Indian and Alaska
Native population
American Indian and Alaska Native tribes have their own form of governance, culture,
and history
Immigration and Family Life
Ethnic composition of the immigrant population is primarily Latino and Asian
Many immigrants come to the U.S without documentation or have allowed their
documentation to expire
o There are indications that one-third of children who have immigrant parents
have at least one parent that is undocumented
Challenge to Researchers
Conducting research with minority population
oBe respectful of the wishes of cultural groups
oCollaborate with and develop partnerships with members and organizations in
diverse cultures
Accept the conditions imposed by the community
2
oknow about belief systems
Challenge to Practitioners
relying on cultural heritage is the most effective way for people to be:
o resilient
o capable of handling difficulties
positive ethnic identity has a positive influence on the lives of youth
oEthnic identity - Geographic origin of a particular group and accepting the
traditions and values of one’s culture
Cultural Competence
Effectiveness in working with variety of cultural
groups Components
oAwareness
Self-exploration leads to self-awareness
oKnowledge
oSkills
Kinship
Relatedness of certain individuals within a group
Describes the norms that govern
oMarital forms
oFamily structure and organization
oInheritance
oAuthority
oResidence
Nuclear family
Smallest, most elementary kinship unit
oConjugal family system: emphasizes the relationship formed through marriage
Consanguineal family system: emphasize the blood ties more than marital ties
oExtended family : consists of a nuclear family and those people related to its
members by blood ties
Kin relationships across cultures
Plural marriage or polygamy
oPolygyny : man has more than one mate
oPolyandry : women has more than one mate
Lease common
Monogamy : man or women has only one mate
Pseudo-kin group: relationships resembling kinship ties develop among
unrelated individuals
oGodparent/godchild
Cultural norms influence:
oFamily structure
oLineage: lines of descent
3
oWho holds authority in family
oWhere newly married couples should reside
Descent- traced by gender
oMatrilineal societies : trace descent through females
oPatrilineal societies : trace descents though males
oBilateral descent : children are equally ties to relatives of both the parents
Common in western societies
A “family tree” approach
Norms for lines of descent may or may not be linked to lines of authority within a kinship
group
oMatriarchal group : females exercise the authority
oPatriarchal group : males exercise the authority
Egalitarian groups: rights and perspectives of both genders and all generations
are respected
Norms for residence for newly married couples
oMatrilocal society : couples live with or near the wife’s kin
oPatrilocal society : couples live with or near the husband’s kin
oNeolocal society : couples establish a separate, autonomous residence
Family Strengths and challenges Across Ethnic Groups
Strengths of white families Strengths of African American families
Commitment to family Strong kinship bonds
Kinship is more broad and includes extended family.
Enjoyable time together Flexibility in family roles
Ability to manage stress and crisis effectively Strong motivation to achieve
Spiritual well being Strong religious orientation
Positive communication Egalitarian marriages
Appreciation and affection
4
Strengths of Latino families
Strengthens of Asian American
Strengthens of American Indian
families families
Families Strong family orientation Extended family system
Children are highly valued Filial piety- a lot of respect for Spiritual beliefs
elders
Religion High value on education High family cohesion
Family members provide support to
Well-disciplined children Respect elders
each other
Extended-family support Bilingual language skills
Family loyalty Tribal support system
Cross- Cultural family studies
Focus on how particular cultural contexts influence a wide variety of issues
Tend to focus on
oHow are families in the US different from those in other parts of the world
oHow they are similar
Ethnocentrism: Assumption that one’s own culture is the standard by which other
cultures should be judges
Challenges for Ethnic families
Assimilation
oOld cultural traits and values are relinquished and replaced by those of the
dominant culture
Acculturation
oCultural traits and values from one ethnic group become blended with those of
the dominant culture
Segregation
oEthnic group isolates itself or is forced into isolation within the dominant culture
Stereotypes
oStandardized, oversimplified, and mean-spirited views
Prejudice
oPrejudging
oClosely linked with stereotyping
Racism
oDevelops when the most powerful group in a society creates an elaborate
mythology about a minority group
Multiracial marriages
oMarriages between two people from two different cultural or ethnic groups
Relationships between men and women
5
oDifferent socialization processes and biological inheritances produce
misunderstanding and conflict
Relationships between parents and children
oConflicts rise because
Younger generation strives to create a relatively independent life
Older generation tries t maintain control of the children
6
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
