Part I: Drawing Analysis

Participants:

• Participant 1: 35-year-old female, teacher.
• Participant 2: 17-year-old male, high school student.
• Participant 3: 60-year-old male, retired engineer.

Drawings and Descriptions:

• Participant 1:
  • Drew a family of four: a father, mother, older son, and younger daughter.
  • Father: Tall, middle-aged, wearing a suit, described as a “businessman.”
  • Mother: Slightly shorter, wearing a dress, described as a “homemaker who also volunteers at the school.”
  • Son: Older, playing soccer.
  • Daughter: Younger, wearing a tutu, described as taking ballet lessons.
  • Family is standing in front of a house with a white picket fence.
  • “My family is similar in that we have two children, but I work full time. I drew this because it is what I see in a lot of older tv shows.”
• Participant 2:
  • Drew a family of three: a father, mother, and son.
  • Father: Average height, wearing casual clothes, described as “works in construction.”
  • Mother: Average height, wearing jeans and a t-shirt, described as “works at a store.”
  • Son: Teenager, playing video games.
  • “My family is not like this. I drew this because my friends families are sometimes like this.”
• Participant 3:
  • Drew a family of four: a father, mother, son, and daughter.
  • Father: Tall, older, wearing a suit, described as “retired doctor.”
  • Mother: Average height, older, wearing a dress, described as “retired nurse.”
  • Son: Adult, “works in computers.”
  • Daughter: Adult, “works as a lawyer.”
  • “My family was like this, when the kids were younger. I drew a family that was similar to my own.”

Observations:

• The “traditional” nuclear family (father, mother, children) was the most common depiction.
• Gender roles were evident: fathers often depicted in higher-status professions, mothers in more domestic roles or lower-paying jobs.
• Children’s activities were often stereotyped by gender.
• The older participant drew a family that was more modern, with the women having professional jobs.

Part II: Reflection Questions

• What type of family was most commonly drawn, and why do you think this was the case?
  • The traditional nuclear family was most common. This likely reflects societal conditioning and media portrayals of families, even though the participants own families did not always reflect that image.
• How many families with these characteristics do you know? What makes you think these families have these characteristics?
  • While some families may resemble these depictions, many do not. Media, television, and older books often reinforced these stereotypes.
• Why do we believe families are like this (as depicted in the drawing)?
  • Societal norms, cultural influences, and media representations contribute to these beliefs.
• Do we hold other stereotypes? What are they?
  • Yes, we hold many stereotypes related to gender, race, age, and socioeconomic status. These can include assumptions about professions, hobbies, and behaviors.
• Reflect on the experience:
  • The experience highlighted the power of societal conditioning and how it can influence our perceptions, even when they don’t align with our personal experiences. It was interesting to see how even young people had these stereotypes.

Family Disintegration Reflection (350+ Words)

Family disintegration, a multifaceted issue, presents in various forms, each with its own degree of impact. If I were to prioritize the three forms of family disintegration discussed in this module, I would place them in the following order: (1) emotional detachment/lack of communication, (2) financial instability, and (3) physical separation/divorce. Emotional detachment and a lack of communication, in my view, are the most insidious, as they erode the very foundation of familial bonds. When family members cease to connect on an emotional level, the sense of belonging and support, which are vital for a healthy family, diminishes. This can lead to feelings of isolation and alienation, even when family members are physically present. Financial instability, while certainly disruptive and stressful, often forces families to band together to overcome challenges. In many cases, it can strengthen family bonds. Physical separation or divorce, although a significant life event, does not necessarily equate to complete family disintegration. Many divorced parents maintain positive co-parenting relationships, and children can thrive in blended family situations.

I believe that emotional detachment/lack of communication occurs most frequently. In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, it is easy for family members to become disconnected from one another. The constant distractions of smartphones, social media, and work commitments can lead to a decline in face-to-face interactions and meaningful conversations. Additionally, many people struggle to express their emotions or communicate effectively, which can further exacerbate feelings of detachment. We believe families are like the ones depicted in the drawings because those are the images that we are most often shown. Media, and older forms of media especially, show us the nuclear family as the standard. This is also how many people were raised, and therefore it is the image that they are most familiar with. We hold many other stereotypes, such as those regarding race, wealth, and age. For instance, we may assume that all wealthy people are dishonest or that all elderly people are frail. These stereotypes are often based on limited exposure or misinformation.