Running head: Cross Cultural Self-Assessment

Cross Cultural Self-Assessment

Katie Brogan
Wayne State University SW3020

Cross Cultural Self-Assessment

Im a 34 year old Caucasian female that has grown up in the suburbs in what most
would consider a large family, consisting of two parents, two sisters, one brother, and a dog.
Throughout my childhood my mothers responsibility was to raise the children and take care of
the house while my father went to work providing financially for the family. My father went
along with whatever my mother said from one of the children needed braces to what color she
was going to paint the living room walls, they had clear lines of responsibility that were never
crossed. As I went off and started my own family, I found myself in the same position as my
mother except working full time and having to rely on others for child care while working.
When looking back my grandmother had the same family structure as my mother, my
grandmother took care of my mom and the home and my grandfather worked.
When it comes to people with disabilities, I take this subject seriously and become
offended when individuals make inappropriate comments or gestures. Im very passionate, along
with the members of my family and friends that everyone no matter their physical or mental
ability should be given the same opportunities. I believe that people that think it is acceptable to
discriminate against individuals are acting selfishly and need to live a day in the life of a person
with a disability to see the struggles and how much harder the person with the disability life is.
When it comes to the traditions in my culture they are minimal the only holidays that I
like to celebrate are Christmas, Easter, Birthdays and Thanksgiving. These are the times that my
family gets together to be with each other, I cherish these times and enjoy the anticipation of the
day arrival. While growing up Independence Day, Groundhog Day, St. Patrick day, and all other
holidays alike were never celebrated and to this day I dont celebrate them. They are not

Cross Cultural Self-Assessment

avoided, Im open to going out on these days or having a bar-b-que but if nothing happens on
one of these days I dont feel like Im missing anything.
When it comes to communicating my family likes to talk and tell each other what they
think and I instill this in my children. While growing up were had to show respect to people
around us using manors and never saying a word that could possibly be considered profanity or
hurt full to someone. I will say what others do not want to hear if it is the truth and it will not
lead to an argument. From my upbringing I have realized that neither I nor anyone in my
household is argumentative, I prefer to compromise instead of arguing. Arguing tasks too much
strength and energy, it is physically and mentally draining making it not worth the argument. If
I know that what I want to say would cause an argument I avoid it. I believe looking at people
when talking to them, and I try to always be aware of my body language when having
conversations as my body language can change the way my message is received by others.
I believe that the most important part of communicating is not to judge a person by what I
think their culture is. I think that it is essential to talk to a person to find out who they are and
what they believe in, everyone is different having varying degrees of beliefs and these beliefs
should be respected.

Cross Cultural Self-Assessment

Bibliography
Hull, G., & Kirst-Ashman, K. (2012). Understanding Generalist Practice Sixth Edition. Cengage
Learning.