Family Interview HLT-324V: Transcultural Health Care College of Nursing

Family Interview
HLT-324V: Transcultural Health Care
College of Nursing and Health Care Professions
Introduction
Awareness of own culture is essential as it ensures there is no projection of our values to other
people. Being able to distinguish values that drive us from those of other cultures helps in
dispelling negative stereotypes and personal biases. To better understand my culture, I
interviewed my grandmother. This is because she is the eldest in my family and has vast
knowledge on my culture. She has also witnessed some transitions over different generations
hence I believe she will provide me with adequate information. I also interviewed family doctor
who is from a different culture. I chose the family doctor because he has shown interest in
discussing his cultures with me whenever I visit him.
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.)?
Family roles are one virtue valued by different cultures. From the interviews, both cultures really
are historically family oriented. The family is tasked with shaping our daily experiences, how
they interact with the people around them and where they live. The family needs are of great
essence than the needs of an individual. Each member has a role to play. In both cultures, the
father is the head of the household and occupies a position of position of respect and authority.
They are supposed to provide and protect the family. Women on the other hand in both cultures
are viewed as caregivers. They are tasked with nurturing and paying attention to family needs.
Children in both cultures are expected to be obedient, responsible and exhibit emotional restraint.
Familism extends beyond the nuclear family in both cultures. The extended family offers support
and ensures emotional closeness. Despite the similarities, these cultures exhibit several
differences. In my culture, the father makes all the decisions unlike my doctor’s culture where
decisions are made by both parents. Also, children in my culture are assigned roles according to
the gender. Boys are tasked with farming and looking after cattle while girls are to cook and
fetch firewood. Children are also raised by the society in my culture.
2. What does your culture and family see as primary family goals (education,
marriage, etc.)?
In my culture, family goals emphasize on achieving accomplishments agreed on by the family or
individual members. The family members work as a team to collectively identify and establish
goals for the family unit. One primary family goal is to encourage the highest level of education
desirable to every member of the family. Education is viewed as the only way of evading
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poverty. However, in my doctor’s culture, education is encouraged but not necessary as children
can inherit their family wealth. Another family goal is marriage in my culture. It is believed that
after earning a college degree, people should marry, settle down and have children. Marriage is
viewed as a rite of passage. However, in my doctor’s culture, marriage is not a rite of passage but
a personal choice. It is important to note that in both cultures active involvement in religious
activities is a primary family goal.
3. What is your culture’s view on alternative lifestyles (living together prior to
marriage, domestic partnerships, single parenting, etc.)?
As strict as my culture may be, there are situations that they are forced to accept since they do
not have a solution. Marriage is considered sacred and all traditions like introduction and dowry
payment must be fulfilled for a couple to be married. Living together prior to marriage is
unacceptable, however, if it happens, there is nothing that can be done about it. Similarly, single
parenting is not allowed unless in inevitable circumstances like death of a spouse. Strict
measures were put in place to ensure that girls do not mingle with boys. Similarly, in my
doctor’s culture, alternative lifestyles were not allowed. Solutions were put in place to avoid such
circumstances. Today however, culture does not hold ground on such issues as the state has
come up with laws to safeguard such emergencies.
4. What are your family’s religious beliefs, and have they changed over generations?
In my family, the religious beliefs bring more cohesiveness in family relationships. Initially,
people had different religious beliefs; others worshipped mountains, rivers and others trees.
However, over generations, this changed and most people became Christians. In my doctor’s
family on the other hand, every family member was a Christian and this has changed over
generations. The current generation consists of most non-believers in any divine being.
5. What are your family’s spiritual beliefs around death and dying?
In my family, death and dying are believed to be the will God. Although the body decomposes,
the spirit of the dead still lives and watches over the generations. The spiritual beliefs are that
death and dying are not considered the end of an individual. In my doctor’s culture however,
they believe that there is an afterlife and once a person dies they will see God’s face. The sick
and elderly can receive anointing before dying. A dead person is believed to start a new life.
© 2019. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.