Cultural Genogram Analysis, Equations in Our Lives - Essay Example

My grandfather’s family did not have any of these items that my grandfather’s father possessed. They lived in a broken-down shack. They slept on the floor, and they did not have any electricity or running water. My grandmother was the caretaker, while my grandfather supported the family. He worked in the tobacco fields. My mother’s sisters and brothers all pitched in to do all the chores. They had no specific roles. They all cleaned the house together, took turns sweeping the floor, and fetching water.

My grandfather and his family finally migrated to New York in 1951. Upon relocating to New York, my family did not move into a Hispanic community, instead, they moved into an African American community called Harlem, which is a predominately African American Community. It is believed my grandfather wanted to get away from the Hispanic community.

It was very difficult for them due to the language barrier. The family did not speak any English except my grandfather. Upon entering school my mother, her sister, and her brothers were all placed in the same grade because they could not speak the native language. The school gave them a bilingual teacher who taught them to speak their native language. She was also a big support to my mother’s family, and due to the school support, and the support of the community my mother’s family adjusted very well to their new environment. All of my aunts and uncles married, and soon branched out into different communities, and had children of their own.

I was born and raised in a New York City Housing Project (NYCHA) called Jefferson, which consisted of a multicultural community. I resided in the home with my mother, father, and five siblings. Despite my mother never obtaining an education she was very active within the community. She did voluntary work as a school Para Professional with special needs children, and my father worked in a garment factory.

Most of the friends came from single-families households. Their main sources of income were either public assistance or social security, and due to their limited source of income, most of the families in my community were subjected to situations such as economic and social instabilities. My mother raised my siblings and me to show respect to each other as well as the people in the community. This was a very important value within my mother’s culture.  Read More