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Family Diversity and Culture

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Submitted By catina2149
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Family Diversity and Culture
Catina Pierre Alexander, Ed.D.
Walden University

My childhood family adapted to the “The Standard North American Family” (SNAF). My family was a traditional African American family whereas they sought each other for the union of marriage. In Louisiana, most families did not practice arranged marriages and kinship marriages. In other words, boy meet girl and vice versa, fall in love and get married. Both parents were present in my childhood home along with my three siblings. My father was not the ultimate “breadwinner” of the family. My mother worked and contributed to the economic resources of our family too. Neither of my parents’ attended a four-year college. My father served four years in the Army and served two of those years in the Vietnam War. My mother earned an Associate’s Degree in Business from Delgado University. My parents held respectable and descent paying jobs. My father is a retired welder of 30 years from the Local Union 60. My mom is a retired customer service representative of 33 years of service from AT&T. They are now retired and enjoying life even more. Christianity is a very important characteristic of my family. We attended church almost every Sunday. I attended Sunday school, participated in the youth choir, and attended vacation bible school (VBS). Family bonds and values are important characteristics of my family too. My cousins and I grew up close as if we were siblings. We attended church services and then everyone went to our grandparents’ house for Sunday dinner. Presently, my maternal uncle lives in the family home and most of our family go over to the family home after church service on Sunday. I regret living two hours from the family home. However, we still meet at the family home for special occasions and holidays. My parents value education for their children.

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