Social Classes, Culture, and Family

This is a topic that I feel very strongly about. Growing up in Central Washington gave me great insight about this topic. I grew up on a reservation in Central Washington, but there were also a lot of Hispanics. As a White Mormon girl, I was in a very serious minority. Although I grew up in a small town, it was still big enough to where I didn't know everybody in my class, just most. As well as most of the people in classes below me. I don't mean social class, I mean class based on year in school. Anyhow, so those who did know me, knew that both of my parents are teachers and don't make hardly any money. Those who didn't know me assumed that because I'm white I had more money than they did. This is false. Compared to a lot of my peers, I was more middle class, but that's not saying much, when the absolute lowest is abject poverty. I remember finding out that my friend's grandmother used the money she got from her tribe, so she had to "use the five finger discount" to get food and other necessities. I was shocked. I had no idea that people's families were different from mine. I think I had an inkling, but I guess I just didn't realize how different people's families could be.

As far as cultures go, like I mentioned I grew up on a reservation, but there were also a lot of Hispanics in the area. Because the area is high in agriculture, it attracts a strong Hispanic population. I grew up being highly influenced by two different cultures, that were so different from mine. I learned at a young age how to deal with people who are different from me in almost every way. I often tell people that when I was young, I thought there was something wrong with me because I didn't have brown eyes, or speak Spanish! I also tell people that there are no opportunities in my hometown, and it wasn't the greatest place to grow up, but I did have an amazing childhood, and can't regret growing up there because it gave me the experience of how to deal with diversity at a young age. It gave me a great love and respect for other cultures.

I saw how culture influences family. Mexicans are HUGE on family. Granted, some families are incredibly dysfunctional, but there is a heavy emphasis that family come first, always. Many Mexican families have extended family members living in the house with them. Parties are HUGE because they involve everyone who IS family, and everyone who is CONSIDERED family. I LOVE that about Mexican culture. Doesn't matter who you are, or how long you've known the family, if you're friends with their child you're part of the family. Native Americans are much more reserved. Many don't even live with or near their family, and what family they have is incredibly troubled and dysfunctional. That's not to say that there aren't good Native American families out there. I'm sure there are. They just happened to be rare on the reservation I grew up on. The Native American families that are religious place a higher emphasis on families, but I think since many of the older Native Americans grew up without strong families, they just weren't sure how to go about it. I will say however, that traditional Native Americans, those who dance at Pow-Wow's and still practice their original religion, are very family and faith oriented. Growing up, being strongly influenced by two different cultures was a wonderful experience for me. It fostered a love and curiosity in me towards other people and cultures, and has allowed me to be more open minded, when it comes to people that are different from me.