Families come in different forms and experience life in different ways, but one thing unites them – a desire to be together. A dictionary definition of family includes terms like social group, parents, children, and households, but we all know that family means much more than that. In Unit 6, you observe many different types of families, from the traditional to the newer structures that exist today. In this assignment, you are asked to choose a type of family other than your own and describe what it would be like to grow up in that family.
Select a family type other than your own from Unit 6. Then imagine what your experience might be as a child growing up in that family. Note: that you need to use facts to support your writing.
Write a memoir of those experiences that includes:
The family structure: Did two parents, one parent, or grandparents raise you? Describe the people who fit the role of a parent – their gender, economic status, and parenting style (authoritarian, permissive, uninvolved, authoritative. Use this link for more information on parenting stylesLinks to an external site..
Describe where you live – the type of neighborhood and home (for example, an urban neighborhood and an apartment, a suburban neighborhood and a townhouse or single-family home, or a rural neighborhood and a farmhouse.
Describe the cultural influences on the family – either due to ancestry, religion, or social connections
Describe the families rules
Recount what was expected of you – chores, achievements, extracurricular activities
Describe a family tradition such as birthday and holiday celebrations or other special occasions. Include a detailed description of the foods you might have eaten and the things you might have done during the occasion.
Family Structure
I grew up in a single-parent household with my mother. My parents divorced when I was two years old, and my father has not been involved in my life since then. My mother worked full-time to support me, and she was very dedicated to her job. She was also a very loving and supportive mother.
Parenting Style
My mother’s parenting style was authoritative. She had clear expectations for me, but she was also fair and understanding. She encouraged me to be independent and to think for myself. She also taught me the importance of hard work and perseverance.
Where We Lived
We lived in a small apartment in a suburban neighborhood. It was not a fancy apartment, but it was clean and comfortable. We had a small yard where I could play, and there were other children in the neighborhood that I could play with.
Cultural Influences
My mother is American, but her parents are immigrants from Mexico. I was raised in a bilingual household, and I learned about both Mexican and American culture. I am proud of my Mexican heritage, and I am grateful to my mother for teaching me about it.
Family Rules
We had a few simple family rules. We had to do our homework before we could play video games or watch TV. We also had to help out around the house with chores. My mother was very strict about these rules, but she also made sure that we had time to relax and have fun.
Expectations
My mother expected me to do my best in school and to be a good person. She also expected me to be respectful of others and to help out around the house. I was not involved in many extracurricular activities, but I did play soccer for a few years.
Family Traditions
One of our family traditions was celebrating my birthday with a big party. My mother would always make my favorite cake and invite all of my friends over. We would play games, eat cake, and ice cream. It was always a lot of fun.
Another family tradition was celebrating Christmas. We would go to church on Christmas Eve and then come home to open presents. My mother would always make a big Christmas dinner, and we would spend the day together as a family.
Conclusion
Growing up in a single-parent household was not always easy, but I am grateful for the experiences I had. My mother taught me so much about life, and I am the person I am today because of her. I am proud to be her son.
Additional Details
Here are some additional details about growing up in a single-parent household:
Despite these challenges, there are also many benefits to growing up in a single-parent household. Single parents are often very close to their children, and they provide a lot of love and support. Single-parent children also learn to be independent and self-reliant.
If you are a single parent, know that you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you raise your child. And remember, your child is lucky to have you.