22 Unit 1 Reaching Your Potential
What subjects do you find most interesting in
school? What subjects do you think most stimulate
your brain development?
more challenging work. All students need praise
and encouragement for their achievements.
The school years are a time to stimulate brain
development by exploring many different expe-
riences and repeating them. By repeating skills,
brain connections for these skills become stronger,
thus promoting successful learning.
Figure 1.15 Each cultural group views the relationship of family as a group and individual members in its own
way, placing it somewhere along this continuum. Where would you place your family?
The Continuum of Cultural Views of Families
Group Focus Individual Focus
Extended family households include other
relatives—such as grandparents, aunts, and
uncles— who live in the same household and
assist with raising children, providing income,
and sharing the work of the family.
Families live independently with varying
degrees of support from relatives. Some families
have little or no support, while others may
receive some assistance with childrearing.
Multiple generations live, play, and work
together.
Young adults are expected to leave home and
become independent. Self-suffi ciency is valued.
Maintaining family relationships is more
important than work, occupation, or income.
A high value is placed on education, hard work,
and career success.
Identity, self-respect, and confi dence are closely
tied to one’s family members or relatives.
Identity in adulthood is tied closely to one’s
occupation, work organization, formal
education, and income.
Emphasis is on working together. Emphasis is on competition between individuals.
Good manners, common courtesy, and
sensitivity to others are highly valued.
Assertiveness, directness, and confi dence are
valued.
Traditions and ceremonies are honored. Immediate needs take precedence over traditions.
Needs of the family take priority over needs of
the individual.
Individuals do not feel obligated to follow the
wishes of relatives.
Family values are strong and are reinforced from
one generation to the next.
Family values vary by generation.
Family religious beliefs strongly impact the
values and behaviors of family members.
Religious beliefs vary and are up to the
individual.
Roles and responsibilities for men and women
are defi ned with specifi c expectations.
Roles and responsibilities for men and women
vary depending on needs, resources, and
individual desires.
Parenting methods are strict as children are
expected to obey.
Parenting methods are persuasive as children
are urged to consider matters from the parent’s
point of view.
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