Autobiography of family
Answers
Explanation:
As the term draws to a close, it seems appropriate to reflect on our own lives and the ongoing influence of our families. Recalling Socrates' words, "The unexamined life is not worth living" this assignment invites you to reflect on various aspects of your family and your development.
(NOTE: Some topics may be too personal and you may choose to avoid writing about them. Your emotional comfort is important, so skip any questions that seem too intrusive, painful, unsettling, etc.)
I am providing a series of questions in eight categories to prompt your thoughts. You may use these questions to help form your paper. This is a Final Paper, but I will be flexible in the format. You are welcome to write a flowing autobiographical narrative that includes the information requested OR you can simply respond to each of the questions in outline form.
I am not establishing a minimum or maximum number of words or pages. Please just write enough to adequately address the areas.
Here is how I will grade this assignment:
There are eight sections to cover: family background, religion and values, economics and social class, parental plusses and minuses, personal crisis events, family crisis events, family secrets, and the future. You will receive 5 points for each section (total of 40 points possible) and up to 20 points for the presentation of your work (spelling, punctuation, capitalization, etc.) for a total possible score of 60. I hope you will find this assignment meaningful and helpful. This paper will be available to work on and submit beginning the first day of the term. I will not accept it late.
Enjoy!
Dr. Lynn
1. Family background
Describe yourself, including age, gender, place of birth and additional information that helps identify you.
Identify your birth position: give the names and ages of siblings younger and older than you. How did you feel about your "place: in the family? How do you feel now?
What was your relationship and how did you feel about each parent and sibling growing up? How do you feel today about them?
Who else lived in your family (for example, grandparent, spouse of sibling, etc.) and how did they impact family living?
2. Religion and values
In what religion (if any) were you socialized as a child? Discuss the impact of religion on yourself as a child and as an adult. To what degree might you choose to teach your own children similar religious values? Why?
What were you taught regarding topics such as: honesty, manners, people of other races and religions, people of alternative sexual orientation, money?
What was the role relationship between your parents in terms of division of labor, communication, affection, and so on? To what degree might you choose to have a similar relationship with your own partner that your parents had with each other?
How did your parents resolve conflict between themselves? How do you resolve conflicts?
3.Economics and social class
Identify your social class (lower, middle, upper); the education, jobs, or careers of your parents; and the economic resources of your family. How did your social class and economic well-being affect you as a child? How have the career choices of your parents influenced your own?
4. Parental plusses and minuses
What is the single most important thing your mother and father said or did that has affected your life in a positive way? What is the single biggest mistake they each made in rearing you? Discuss how this impacted you negatively. To what degree does this choice still affect you?
5. Personal crisis events
Everyone experiences crisis events that have a dramatic impact on life. Identify and discuss an event or events you have experienced and your reaction and adjustment to them.
How did your parents react to this crisis event you were experiencing? To what degree did their reaction help or hinder your adjustment? What different choices (if any) might they have made to assist you in ways you would have regarded as more beneficial?
6. Family crisis events
Identify and discuss each crisis event your family has experienced (examples might include: unemployment of a primary breadwinner, prolonged illness of a family member, death of a family member, alcoholism, etc.). How did each each family member react and adjust to each event?
7. Family secrets
Most families have secrets. What secrets are you aware of in your family, including extended family. To what degree has it been difficult for you to be aware of this family secret?
8. Future
Describe yourself two, five, ten years from now. What are your educational, occupational, marital, and family goals? How has the family in which you were reared influenced each of these goals?