Families are all around us, but defining what a family is depends on whom you ask. The word family has had many different meanings that have varied across time, culture, and languages, but “our image of family though may need to be broadened to accept diversity” (Gestwicki 2014, p. 21). Every family is diverse in many ways, from their family structure, race, religion, socioeconomic status, primary language, ethnic background, and more, to being unique in their family cultures and traditions. In order to learn more about diversity, I decided to interview four very diverse families about their definition of a family. I also wanted to learn about their single or dual responsibilities, how teachers can support their children’s success within their …show more content…
She has many responsibilities with work and raising her children. Her life is stressful at times because of all the daily tasks she has to manage alone, but she still takes the time to spend quality time with her family. The other single parent family is an African-American mother on state assistance with four girls, ages twelve, eight, seven, and five. The father of three of the children is involved but he lives in another house. Because of her situation and her socioeconomic status, she has a different way of raising her children. Since she has a difficult time affording food, the little food she does have, she locks up, even the refrigerator. There are people who do not agree with raising children this way, but I have learned that we all have our own way of raising our …show more content…
Since all families are unique and diverse, as teachers we need to gain insight on how to work and collaborate with parents. “Children live in the context of their homes, and their families are the most important and lifelong influence on their development” (Gestwiki, 2014, p. 20). At times, it can be challenging working with diverse families but it can be fun and rewarding too. It is important that we prepare ourselves to recognize, appreciate, and acknowledge families, so we are able to work with such diversity within the families at our schools, homes, and in the
In attempting to understand the blended family system, one would be remised if we did not first look at, and understand primarily what a family system dynamic is. Unfortunately, this is a theory that once had very clear cut lines; today those lines are a little burred and more subjective than ever before. Given that the family is an ever changing system with fluid boarders, this author will illustrate some finite distinctions that may separate the typical family system from a blended family system.
Decades of research proves partnerships between schools and families not only enhance children’s learning and achievement, it is also mutually beneficial to the families and educators. As an early childhood educator, my philosophy is rooted in establishing and maintaining a strong and effective partnership with families and communities that can help children and their families thrive. My approach focuses on effective communication between family and school, respect for diversity, and promoting learning at home.
This identity recognition occurs in several different aspects of a student’s life, which includes the student’s familial ties. In a study by Joseph Murphy, a sociologist at Vanderbilt University, he acknowledges that a home school education carries a lot of requirements for the family’s time investments (Murphy 253). Parents have to rearrange their schedules and routines, which strengthens the student’s relationship with his or her parents. However, it can also put a strain on the student’s parents (Murphy 253). The parent who does the majority of the education has to balance homemaking with teaching, which can be a major stressor for some. A mother or father who wants to write the curriculum may find that other obligations around the house will need to be dropped in favor of time. A positive side to the home school education’s impact on the student’s familial identity is that there can be a strengthening of familial bonds (Murphy 253). The parents involve themselves directly in the child’s education, allowing for a strengthening of relationships. Home schooled students can also grow closer to their siblings because they will have time and space to deepen the relationship. Samuel Blumenfield, an educator and author, said that home school families build a “generation bridge instead of a generation gap” (765). A home school family’s
Cultural diversity has been a major issue of concern for several decades, and it has affected institutions of learning, where facilitators have to balance the family and school involvement in enhancing learning. Establishing a meaningful environment for students with diverse backgrounds enhances positive performance in their academic, personal, and professional objectives. A healthy relationship with family members involves identifying the needs of each family’s cultural stand; this is because a culture may play a major role in defining a family’s responsiveness to a school’s involvement. The globalization aspect has facilitated the creation of a multicultural society, and hence the need for an education system that addresses the need to foster a conducive environment for learning. It is imperative to define the essence of family involvement and collaboration in schools’ activities, especially where cultural diversity is concerned.
Diversity is important in education. Also, communication with parents is important. However, some students may have two moms or two dads, but they should still be included in their child’s education. As a child, there are several things that can impact a child’s life. One impact many children go through is family divorce. This impacts the child’s education because the mom feels she should be the only one involved or vice versa. However, the goal of this article is to prepare teachers to respond to the needs of all students, no matter their background. Also, it wants to make teachers aware that all students’ needs are different no matter their family structure. Each and everyday there are several different cultures entering this country or getting married. As a teacher, it is important to understand each student’s background. This is a good idea because a teacher does not want to offend a student or parents. A teacher’s job is to have a diverse classroom no matter the sexuality (Page 84) or the social status (Page 84) of families. A teacher is there to provide instruction, but also support. For example, a student’s family may be poor and the student comes to school with torn clothes and shoes. A teacher in this situation should communicate with the family about the situation and get them help. Also, the article discusses family diversity as
There is a significant body of literature in this area - reflecting families, diversity, difference, culture and values in today’s society and the role to be played by early childhood educators in today’s society. It is apparent that these areas are must be understood to be able to process the data within this research report. The first key element is families, families are considered far more complex than most would first think and in today’s society there is no one universal way of doing family (Robinson & Diaz, 2006) . Educators recognise that families are a child’s first and most significant link to the world around them. Respect of the family and their ways are essentially the fundamental ...
At this center, the teachers have the tools to assess each child and the parents are interested in knowing the strengths and supports their child needs. The article Understanding Families, states that there should be “opportunities for families to discuss their beliefs about their children, what they want for their children, and how they support their children’s development” (Christian, 7). As conferences occur every 6 months, parents also communicate with the school and teachers via email and during drop off and pick up times. Another great example of parent communication is in the article Building Bridges from School to Home.
Family is a very important part of a person’s life because they shape the person you become. In the United States there are more than 300,000 children who do not have a family and are put into foster care. There are many parents that are willing to adopt these children and make their family ideal come true. Weaving is the act of taking different fabrics and conjoining them to make a product. The tighter you pull the fabric the closer the weaving which makes the product stronger. The only problem is the issue of race because race plays a very influential role in this country so therefore you have to take that into account. Different cultures do family differently so if a black family adopts a white child they have to take into account their
How can a simple six letter word be so complicated to define? Family is a single word that is open to many interpretations depending on the individual. If you try to condense this ideal to a single clinical definition you end up excluding numerous members of society. What comes to mind when you think of the word family? While in the most broken down and literal sense, family means a relative with a blood or legal bond, the word family can encompass blood relations, adoptions, and even intentional relationships such as friendships. Economies, cultures, and backgrounds can further differentiate what one’s perception of a family is. For many people, including me, a family is so much more. It is the amount of commitment, cohesiveness, and importance
Family, a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household. Although family is a concretely defined term, the idea of family varies from person to person. But, what makes a family? For those who are surrounded by loving blood relatives, for those who have never known the one to grant them life, for those who have left their blood behind for a more loving and nurturing environment, what can commonly define a family? Family is something defined by the individual. Family includes those who you have come to love, whether platonically or romantically, those you have suffered with, those you have come to respect, and most importantly those you have cared for and in turn have cared for you. To one that could mean people who
There are many types of family that exists in today’s society, each important to the upbringing of any children of which may be apart of it.
Many times, teachers will make the mistake of pre-judging families from different cultures and misunderstand their communication styles and value systems. In order to prevent such misunderstandings, teachers should not be afraid to step outside of their own culture bubble in an effort to comprehend differences between their own culture and these parents. When interacting with parents, teachers should also embrace the commonalities between the cultures. Everyone deals with work, school, relationships, communication, and life in general. I am a Black man, going to school, raising a family and working, just like one of my friends, who is a Native-American. Often times, the things we see as divisions can actually bring us
In society today, we are working with families and children are more diverse than ever. We are servicing families and children from so many different traditions, beliefs and values. Every family has their own stories. We will find that families and children
Everyone seems to define family differently, however, the significance of family is the same. For you, family means everything. You can always count on your parents and siblings for help and love. Family is very valuable and important to you and should never be taken for granted. No one can deny that family is the foundation of our generation. A family is where we all start our life journey and helps us grow to be successful throughout our lives.
Family is the most important thing in the world a single word, with many different meaning. As the backbone of society family plays an important role in who an individual can be. The family can determine the class of an individual, the education level, and their religion. There are different types of families that have existed and some that are still present today. In the past the nuclear family was the ideal model. The nuclear family also called domesticity is characterized as, women being responsible for keeping the home and children and men being the breadwinner. It is two adults living together in a household with their own or adopted children. Another type of family is the extended family. The extended family is defined as a family group consisting of more than two generation of relatives living either within the same household or very close to one another. Grandparents, aunts, and in-laws are examples of extended families.