Conduct a conversation with an older family member to explore your family’s ethnic background. Ask your family member to tell you about the family history. Some questions to consider: Where do you come from? What are your family values? How does your family negotiate identity within multiple cultures? Do you often interact with members of other cultural groups? What are your family’s biases about other cultural groups?
Either tape record the conversation (only with permission) or take detailed notes.
Statement of Self Location
Briefly describe how you identify yourself at different times of your life in terms of racial background, age, social economic status, nationality, country of residence, cultural background and any information you find to be important in describing who you are
Family Conversation
Briefly describe what you know about your family’s background with special emphasis on what you learned during your conversation.
Compare experiences between different family generations, how your views differ or concur with your family members, and how behavior norms are taught from one generation to the next
Describe your conversation in narrative form (do not list question and answer). Paraphrase when necessary. Use direct quotes from your family member when necessary (with APA citation).
1-2 pages
My Family in the Continuum of Privilege and Oppression
Here you will reflect upon your family history and identify where you are located in the continuum of privilege and oppression.
In what circumstances has your family experienced privilege? What did that feel like? In what circumstances have you and your family experienced oppression (either being oppressed or oppressing others)? What did that feel like?
1-2 pages
Conclusion
This section will be a brief summary of the main things you learned about yourself and your family.
Examine the meaning of your family background to your current/future social work practice. Which cultural groups do you know a lot about? Which cultural groups do you not know much about? What types of clients you might feel comfortable and uncomfortable serving?
