1) What groups do you belong to?
*Go through examples below
to get you thinking.
*Consider how important these
connections are to your daily life.
*List 10 groups you belong
to if you can.
Examples:
Income: had less than enough, had enough, had more than enough
Politics: Democrat, Republican, conservative, liberal, indifferent.
"Race": Black, Latino, Asian, Pacific Islander, White, multiracial.
Religion: Catholic, Unitarian, Quaker, Jewish, Muslim, liberal, conservative.
Language: English only, bilingual, sign language, other language.
Family: single, in relationship, divorced, children, multigenerational,
uncle, grandparent.
Age: mid-life, retired.
Education: high school, college...
Employment: work at home, management, mobility, factory worker, nonexempt..
Physical ability: arthritis, wheelchair, hearing loss.
Interests: music, biking, sports fan.
Personality style: socialite, introvert, laid back, a thinker..
Country, region, or city of origin: France, the Bronx, farm
Sexual orientation: heterosexual, lesbian...
Experiences: military, death of a child, cancer survivor
Extracurricular activities: dancing, volley ball.....
2) List three words that describe one of the groups you identify with.
Now, list three words that others might use to stereotype your group.
3) Of the groups you belong to, which ones do you identify with most
or are most important to you?
4) What advantages or disadvantages do these groups bring to your personal
life?
5) What advantages or disadvantages do these groups bring to your work
life?
6) How does your culture(s) of origin (or family of origin) or current
group identity(ies) affect your ideas about:
a) life cycle events (birth, being a teenager, marriage or primary relationships,
retirement, death)
b) role of extended family
c) manners and discipline
d) religious beliefs
e) standards for health and hygiene
f) food preferences and preparation
g) dress and personal appearance
h) history and tradition
i) holidays and celebrations
j) education and teaching methods
k) perceptions of work and play
l) perceptions of time and space
m) attitudes toward pets and animals
n) life expectations and aspirations
o) relationships to authority
p) eye contact
q) touching and hugging
r) money
s) fighting, physical force
t) loyalty
u) people
v) other?
7) Put the following items in order, from most to least, on the influence
they have in your perspectives and personal culture:
family
personal experiences
educational experiences
peer influences
media influences
critical incidents
impact of key individuals
personal search
8) Imagine that someone from outside one of your groups wants to learn
more about your group in order to understand you better. What would you
tell that person?
9) Have you ever felt like an outsider? When? Describe the signs that
say you belong and the ones that say you don't.
10) What, if any, obstacles prevent you from enjoying and participating
in your community?
11) What, if any, obstacles prevent you from enjoying and feeling satisfied
in your workplace?
