YOUR CULTURE

WHO TOOK CARE OF YOU?
Who took care of you when you were little?
Who took care of you when that person went out, or to work?
At what age were you allowed to stay home alone?
Were children in your family given responsibility for caring for other children in the family?
If so, at what age?

HOW WERE MEALS HANDED?
Did everyone sit together at mealtime?
Did someone cook regular meals?
If so, who?
Did children cook?
What kinds of food did you eat often?
How often did your family eat at someone else's house?
Whose house did you eat at?

WHAT WERE THE FAMILY ROLES?
Did you family have different expectations for different children in the family (i.e. older and younger, boys and girls)?
If so, what were considered girl chores? boy chores?
Who worked outside the home? What did they work at?
Who took responsibility for housework, and for what?

WHO MADE THE DECISIONS?
Who made what kind of decisions in your family?
Were extended family members such as grandparents involved in making decisions? How so? Did children have any input? How?

WHO WAS FAMILY?
Who lived in your house?
Did adults other than your parents care for you for a period of time or have a strong influence on your development?
What was your relationship with aunts, uncles, cousins, and other extended family members?

WHAT WERE THE FAMILY BELIEF?
What were family beliefs about:   attending church/temple/sweat lodge/other religious ceremony?
formal education?
defining success?
handling money?
respecting elders?
talking to outsiders about family matters?
toilet training?
working regular jobs?
Which of your family beliefs and values have you held onto and which have you changed?

WHO PROVIDED SUPPORT?
Who did your family turn to for help and support in times of need or crisis?

Anything else that helped define your family's culture:

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Later Encounters or Experiences : The World Through Our Children : Experiences with the Law : Poverty : Explore your Culture