RUNNING HEAD: ETHNOGRAPHIC PAPER

Ethnographic Paper
SW 3510
Esther Mason

Esther Mason
Ethnographic Paper
Professor Grady-Fletcher
SW 3510
11 October, 2012
Introduction
This is my ethnographic study or my family of origin. It contains information about my
family of origin, their traditions. It includes the ethnicities my family identified with, their
traditions, rituals, family organization and child rearing techniques.
Esther M. is a divorced fifty something multiracial female who identifies as Native
American. She has three adult children and two grandchildren. She was born in Toronto and
spent her first seven months living with her parents on the reservation. Due to finical difficulties
and alcohol abuse she and her siblings were shuffled back and forth between her paternal
grandmother and her parents. This lasted for approximately three years. Eventually after an
emotional attempt to return her and two of her siblings it was decided that the children would
remain in the care of the grandmother in the city of Detroit. Even though there was some
mention of a younger sibling who remained in the care of her parents, the majority of her family
history involved life with her grandparents. It was later in life she discovered that her parents
were attempting to avoid the involvement of the social service agency, which would have
permanently removed all the children. The separation and subsequent attempts at reconnection
proved to have a lasting effect on her. She has had problems formulating intimate relationships,

and deals with issues of abandonment. One positive is the bond which developed between the
siblings in later years.
The intervention of family members for the sake of the children was not unusual; it was
the fact that it was her paternal grandmother that spoke volumes. Clearly her parents were not
able to seek assistance from the mothers family, because they resided on the reservation. None
the less she and her siblings bonded with the grandparents and life adjustments were made to
accommodate all.
The dynamic of the household was such that the grandmother was the dominant figure
therefore; the majority of the decisions regarding the children were her responsibility. It was
decided the children would be raised with the Catholic belief system and to attend Catholic
schools. In a way it seems ironic that her parents were trying to spare her this type of life path yet
her grandmother thought it a necessity. In her younger years the church played a major role in
her life, so much so that at one point in time serious thought was given to her becoming a nun.
Both of her grandparents identified racially as African American, even despite the fact
that her grandmother was half Native American. Yet the home environment reflected current
traditions of the white working class family. The meals the family ate were that of the traditional
western European origin. There were little to no African American traditions observed. As a
matter of fact there was little if any ethnic based traditions. This may have also contributed to
Esthers feeling of disconnection and isolation. Even though she and her siblings were showered
with material things her grandmother, (due to an abusive upbringing) she was unable to nurture
them. This in addition to the prejudices and open discrimination of the time were a perfect recipe
for a troubled future.

Because of the stigma that had been associated with seeking professional help with
emotional issues, she suffered needlessly. In addition both her religious belief system and family
dynamic hindered her from seeking professional. According to her she was taught that any
problems within the home were never to be taken outside of the home also that the church
provided any and all the answers you will ever need in life. Fortunately for her she was able to
overcome these obstacles and seek professional help. She now realizes how her childhood
feelings of isolation and abandonment left her stuck in a constant state of anger. She eventually
embraced her native origins, and sought out both spiritual and mental healing.
Completing this work was a bittersweet task. It brought back both painful and joyous
memories. As a child and young adult I was unaware of the impact that those few short years
would have on me. I was angry and often isolated myself. Fortunately as I moved through my
adult years I constantly sought out answers and eventually received the help I needed. I believe
all things happen for a reason and much of my life was in preparation for my becoming a social
worker.

WORKS CITED
(Byers, (2010); Hines, 1992; Kakekayash, 1990)

Citations
Byers, L. ((2010)). Native American Grandmothers: Cultural Tradition and
Contemporary Necessity. Journal of Ethnic And Cultural Diversity in
Social Work, 10(1), pages 305-316.
Hines, E. (1992).
Kakekayash, J. (1990).