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Cutural Diversity

Running head: Cultural Background

Cultural Background
Rhonda Black
University of Phoenix
SOC/315 Cultural Diversity
Julie Hu
July 14, 2008

Introduction
A significant part of developing awareness to diversity and the role in plays in the world is to first understand my own culture and history. What and who makes up the person I am and what I believe. The Encyclopedia Britannica definition of culture is: "the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior. (1) In understanding and researching within my history, it is easy to see that the majority of my cultural background is made up of three main categories: my family, my church, and my social community. While growing up in a lower class, dysfunctional family, my life has anything but a history. I believe the very make-up of my being has been impacted by all of the mentioned areas, affecting the formation of my beliefs, my morals, my habits and my awareness as to what is happening in the world around me.
For the purpose of this paper, we will survey the ways that my history and culture impact my life and donate to the person I am today, as well as the effects that assimilation acculturation, and pluralism have shaped my very existence.

Cultural Influences
Family
The family is the heart of my cultural background. While I am thankful that I have parents and siblings, I can say without a doubt, that the dynamics that made up my family have left a wide range of effects on my life. While many good aspects have been given from my family, many of my inherited gifts have not proven to be beneficial.
I grew up in a very low income, dysfunctional family, often relying on state assistance and other family members for care and raising. My father was an alcoholic and my mother a workaholic. I often was left with caregivers, and forced to grow up very quickly. I was taught that you work for everything you want, and that I had to be strong to achieve my goals. Through the years I...