Cultural Autobiography

Cultural Autobiography:

Belle Shebester CURR 655 Cultural Autobiography

Historical Background:

I currently live within 50 miles of the last two generations of my family. Historical Background Grandma Shebester The Doans My Grandma Doan is a Canadian immigrant, but my other grandparents were born in the United States. Grandma Doan is the only grandparent I have still living. Grandma Doan

Historical Background:

My grandparents, my parents, and I have all raised our families in small towns with less than 5,000 people. My maternal grandparents were both factory workers, while my paternal grandparents were farmers. My parents both came from large families, while my family only had three children. I was the baby, and the only girl. I was the first in my family and the second of my extended family to complete college. Historical Background

Current locale:

Current locale I currently live in Carson City, Michigan, a small town about two hours north of Ypsilanti. I live with my husband and two sons. Much like the two generations before me, I prefer to live in a small, rural community.

The Farm:

The Farm

Language origins:

Everyone in my family, with the exception of Grandma Doan, speaks English only. I wish that I had some fun story about being bilingual, but I don’t. We do, however, have storytelling. Storytelling is a tradition in my family that takes place at a table or bonfire with the purpose of gathering laughs. Children are usually not a part of this, and are directed away if they try to join. This one looks like a “fish” story. Language origins

Language origins:

When is comes to directness, my family is quite open. We even have a podium for the “airing of grievances” at family events! Again, this usually is mainly humorous, but people will use this platform to speak their minds. When it comes to professional relationships, my family is a little more professional and tactful than we are with each other. My family is very informal; laid back is probably a better term. Kids usually do not have rules for addressing adults, unless they are from outside the family. With people in authority and other non-family adults, children refer to them as “Mr. or Mrs.” until told to do otherwise. Language origins

Religious Origins:

Protestant I don’t think going to church makes you Christian any more than being in a garage makes you a car! Faith is not defined by tithes and attendance of church. My husband’s family is Jehovah’s Witness, but neither of us practice their views. That shuts us out from some of his family who are devout. While I do not raise my children to attend church, I feel that it is important to raise them to be good people. My parents have had the most effect on my religious views. They do not judge and are caring people, even though they do not attend church regularly. Religious Origins

Customs, Holidays, and Traditions:

Christmas We celebrate Christmas on Christmas day, as a family. My brothers and their wives and children as well as my family meet at my parent’s house. The first thing we do is open gifts. One child gets to play the role of “Santa”, passing out gifts to everyone. We take turns opening our gifts, so everyone can see what everyone else gets. After gifts, we have a big meal, prepared by my mom (though everyone brings a dish to pass). We usually have ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, and numerous pies and cakes. The girls clean up after the meal. Then the adults play card games while the children play with their new toys. We celebrate Christmas the same way as we used to with my mother’s family, before the family became too large to celebrate in the same house! Customs, Holidays, and Traditions My boys and nephews

Customs, Holidays, and traditions:

Customs, Holidays, and traditions On Easter, we still have an Easter egg hunt, even though my oldest nephew is 16! This year we took a vote among the boys who are 6, 12, 13, and 16 and they unanimously decided to continue the tradition. My brothers and I had an Easter basket that we had to find each year. We continued to hunt for our baskets every year until we had children of our own. There is a big meal on Easter as well as Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Values and beliefs:

My family is traditional in the sense that women do what is viewed as “women’s work”- cleaning, cooking, and so on. When there is a family gathering, the eldest women are in charge, with the younger ones helping. Grandma Doan is the head of all operations! Men work together in jobs such as fixing things and cutting wood, with no observable hierarchy. Values and beliefs

Values and Beliefs:

Values and Beliefs My father handled the discipline in my family, usually in the form of a warning. I remember being spanked once, and I learned that I did not want another one! I often look to my husband when disciplining our children, and it is similar to my own childhood. I am more involved in delivering sanctions than my mother was.

Individualism vs. group orientation:

My family felt that being part of a group should have some benefit, be it exercise, fun, or to help others. I was not pressured to be a part of anything, though I was involved in many activities. I struggle with the fact that my oldest son has little interest in being involved in group activities, though I guess that’s his prerogative. I do encourage volunteering, and my sons helped me volunteer at the Special Olympics at CMU this year . Individualism Group Orientation Individualism vs. group orientation My family always stressed the importance of “being yourself”, and that it didn’t matter what others thought of you. Being popular was not important, being a good person was. I convey this feelings to my sons today. I always felt as though I needed to fit in, and am much more comfortable just being accepted for who I am.

Achievement:

Achievement was rewarded with my parent’s pride. Important goals to achieve were good grades and to do your best at anything that you tried, communicated to me through coaching by my mother. Those who did not meet goals were told to do better, though mom always found something to be proud of. I have always strived to do my best at anything, and will continue to do so. Sometimes I disappoint myself, and use it as a lesson to try harder next time. I wish to finish my Master’s Degree and run a 10K in under an hour. My goals for my family and students include to be happy, caring people who find joy in whatever they decide to do. Education is important to me as well. Achievement

Work:

My mother and father both worked outside the home. Hard work and dedication were valued in my home. My father often went to work sick and worked many hours each week. He is also a Vietnam Veteran. The purpose of work was to provide for the family. I am putting myself through college in order to provide for my own family. I do not always have my parent’s work ethic, though I think it has influenced me greatly. Coworkers often talk about how busy I keep and I feel it is because of the way I was raised. Living on a farm is a lot of work! I also work on cars as a “hobby” and to save money! Last year, I changed the head gasket on the family SUV, and it still runs! I learned many of my fix-it skills through helping my dad. Work

Harmony with Nature:

Harmony with Nature Fishing, camping, and hunting were a part of growing up, we used the environment to provide food. Respecting the environment was essential for it to continue to provide for us. I now use my land on the farm to provide food for my family. I think that the environment and nature need to be cared for, and they will return the favor. Dad and M uskie Me and Crappie

Time:

Time Time is linear and my family is always about 10 minutes early to everything. We are early to everything we go to! If I run late for an event, it makes me anxious, a trait passed down from my mother. However, end times of family events are usually determined by when a person wants to leave. They sometimes go into the night! Note the clock in the background, a gift to my mom from us “kids”

Equality:

In my family, everyone is equal. Being a good person is what gives you value. It’s not what you are, it’s who you are. These ideals were instilled in me by my parents and I live with them today. Everyone should have equal rights and access to resources. This country is a diverse blend of races, beliefs, and cultures- and that is what makes it so great! Equality

Educational Experiences:

In my family, everyone was expected to complete high school. My parents were both high school graduates and my brothers and I both graduated. My oldest brother briefly attended college, but left to work in a factory. My middle brother is now attending college, as am I. The school we attended was small and not at all diverse. My oldest brother and I did well in school, while the middle brother struggled. Today he would probably be labeled ADHD, but that wasn’t common then. When we were in school, there was a special room for the special education students. I believe that special education students should be in the regular classroom, rather than kept separated. Everyone should have access to education and be challenged to learn to the best of their abilities! College is not for everyone, but try to find something that you enjoy doing! Educational Experiences

Educational experiences:

Today, my oldest son has ADD and struggles in school much like my brother once did. I try hard to help him in his educational pursuits, while he has taught me much about what it is like for him. It is often difficult to deal with his i nattention, but we continue to work through it. We will continue to accentuate the positive, while using his strengths to reinforce his weaknesses. This experience has shown me the power of family on shaping one’s life. I will continue to be aware of that power as I shape the lives of my children as well as my students. Educational experiences