Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Families Essay

Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Families - Essay Example Before we proceed to explore the diversity in race and ethnicity in families, let us try to find out the meaning of ethnicity, race and culture. Ethnicity, race and culture do not have the same meaning and it is very important that these terminologies are explored separately. Socially ascribed and constructed statuses mirroring broader political and socio historical influences are constituted by ethnicity and race. Nowadays a lot of emphasis is given to immigrant families and hence it becomes very important to separate culture and immigration status. Culture is a practice which is constantly changing, dynamic and reciprocal. A person learns to adapt to the ongoing changes taking place due to the influences of history, politics and sociology. The terminology, socio cultural has been coined to show the influence of the above mentioned multiple agents. (Chao & Otsuki-Clutter, 2011). The Study Group on Race, Ethnicity and Culture has suggested defining these terminologies. According to t hem, race can defined as the phenotypic disparities which arise as a result of biological or genetic dispositions like color of the skin, texture of the hair, etc. Ethnicity can be explained as the perceived membership of a group of people depending on the ancestry, nationality, or both. Culture has a broad connotation. It considers the individual discrepancies in families in relation to the beliefs, practices and values. Culture also takes into account the roles of an individual in the family, affective styles, pattern of communication and interaction and values with regards to individualism, personal control, collectivism, religiosity and spirituality (Murry, Smith & Hill, 2001). Educating children about ethnicity and race Socialization is a means adopted by all families in order to educate children about the meaning and result of race and ethnicity. This is the way in which children are enlightened about the

How can a healthy balance of occupations be defined Dissertation

How can a healthy balance of occupations be defined - Dissertation Example The following proposal will provide a background and rationale for the intended research. The problem will be discussed so that the intended research can be understood for its purpose. The second section of the proposal will provide aims and objectives for the intended research Finally, the third part of the proposal will provide an intended methodology from which the study will be conducted in order to provide some resolutions for the objectives. The overall proposal is intended to provide a framework for the intended dissertation on the topic of defining balance through healthy occupations. Background Occupational choices are defined by Turner, Foster, and Johnson as either a â€Å"deliberate commitment to enter an occupational role, acquire a new habit, or undertake a personal project† (27). They further the discussion about the definition of an occupational role through disclosure that these roles are not always defined by an active choice, but are sometimes imposed upon a n individual. An example of this can be the role of head of the family. Occupations are most often seen as long term endeavors which are separate from the concept of an activity which is more often seen in a short term devotion to a task or purpose (Sumsion). Occupations are concerned with long term concepts that require diligence and effort towards goals which may be finite, but are more often sets of goals that continue forward through the occupational effort (Edmons). Creating a healthy balance of occupations concerns balancing the different elements of the roles that a person undertakes in order to assure that in pursuing these roles, a balance is essential in sustaining health and preventing illness. The World Health Organization or WHO suggests that in order to define well being one must look at â€Å"the total universe of human life domains including physical, mental, and social aspects† (Wilcock 310). In order to achieve harmony and balance, all aspects of human exper ience must be examined and assessed in order to provide the clarity that supports well-being (Lundy and Janes 546). A very important distinction that must be made during the study of balance of occupations is that between health and wellness. Health is defined by activities that lead toward well-being. While the terms can be overlapped, more often health is considered a state of physical being that is a part of the balance of a â€Å"dynamic integration of mind, body, spirit, emotions, and environment† (Velde and Wittman 69). Therefore in studying the balance of healthy occupations, the state of well-being must be taken into consideration. How roles are chosen and how they affect the aspects of the five aspects of wellness are relevant to the overall balance of those roles of occupation. The following factors should be taken into consideration when discussing balancing occupations: a concern with a person as a physical, thinking, emotional, spiritual, and social being who has a past, present and future, and who functions within physical and social environments; a belief in intrinsic motivation - an innate predisposition to explore and act on the environment and to use one’s capacities; a recognition of each person’