Parenting

This week in class, we discussed the nature vs nurture debate. This debate is basically on whether we behave based on our genetics or do we behave from what we have learned through social interaction. We also read an article based on parenting and how we basically "baby" our children in todays society.
We were given four questions to ask one of our parent this week for our blog. I interviewed my mom.
Question #1: What did you want/expect for me before I was born?
My mom actually wanted me to be a girl because they had just had my older brother so they wanted a girl. She wanted me to have brown curly hair and grow up to be a doctor.
Question #2: What about me reminds you of yourself?
She said so much reminded me of her. I am a hard worker like her, i'm good at math like she is, I am meticulous and pay attention to detail like her, I'm a neat freak, and i like nice things like she does. I am also kind and helpful to other people.
Question #3: What is unique about me?
She said that I never give up and how I never let hard times interfere with my life. Also that I am the hardest working person that she knows.
Question #4: Did you and dad discuss discipline with each other? Has that part of parenting been difficult?
My parents did not discuss discipline. They did not have really have any issues with me. My pediatrician told them that they should expect good behavior right from when I was young and they never really had to discipline me. This part of parenting is difficult for my parents because they have a difficult time following through with their "threats."

I Need More Time!

This week in class, we really focused on American culture and the things we value as Americans. We read an article by Robert Kohls in which he described 13 American values. After reading them and discussing them, I realized that in my opinion, almost all of the values in one way or another were connected through time. As Americans, we value our time and other peoples time. The major value that has to do with time I think is efficiency. As Americans we want to be as efficient as possible because we like to succeed and be the best person that we can be.
There are some values that may be hard to connect with time. One of those might be that as Americans, we are materialistic. We like to have many things yes, but by having these materials, it shows ourselves and others that we have worked hard for a period of time and our materials show our success.
Time plays a major role in my life. Everyday, I stick to a schedule. I get up, go to school, go home, babysit, eat dinner, watch TV, and then go to sleep. These things seem routine to Americans but there are places in the world where you do what you want when you want. Every American wants to use the their time as effectively as possible. We set deadlines in order for ourselves to stick to the schedule. Something that I realized that I do everyday is set my alarm on my phone. Although this is such a small task, it sets up my entire day. By waking up at the time i need to, it allows me to stay on schedule. If my alarms doesn't go off or I forget to set it, my hole schedule has been thrown off.
According to Kohl, Americans embrace change but I believe with the thought of time in mind that we don't like change. Change can cause in a loss of time. A loss of time is inefficient and since Americans always want to be the most efficient, Americans don't like change.

Culture

This week in class we talked about culture and how there are different types of culture. Besides the different types of culture, there are many little things with in culture that I believe nobody thinks about. Culture is defined as the entire way of life of a group of people that acts as a lens through which one views the world and is passed from one generation to the next. Ones culture guides them and helps them make decisions. One of the small things with in culture is language. Language is a system of communications using vocal sounds, gestures or written symbols. I think that as an American, I never think about this really but there are many other languages out in the world and that not everybody in the world speaks English.
One day i watching this TV show with my brother and it was a towing show were people got their cars towed. In the show, one of the tow truck drivers was towing an illegally parked car when the people who owned the car ran up. These people happened to be asian and spoke no english. I thought to myself, why are you in America if you cant speak english and how are they suppose to speak/connect with people. The people thought the tow truck driver was almost a robber and he was trying to steal their car. This is were the language barrier comes in to play. Since nobody spoke the same language, it was difficult for everybody to get on the same page. In the end, the problem was solved but it just shows how there are other languages and when people don't speak the same one, a problem could arise.
Another thing to do with culture are a mores and folkways. An a more is a norm that carries great moral significance and a folkway is a loosely enforced norm involving customs or practices. In class we tried to recreate the song Thats A More with our own a mores and folkways. When we were coming up with the a mores and folkways, i realized that everybody violates a mores and folways. One folkway my group came up with was walking on the right side of the hallway. I know that i have walked on the other side of the hallway before and tough nothing of it. I think violating folkways are less sever than violation a mores. Violating an amore would be ditching class. When ditching class you get a deans pass. When you walk on the other side of the hallway you get nothing. This shows the difference in severity of breaking the two.