Hatian Family

Introduction

This paper is based on culture and the avoidance of cultural miscommunication. This

can occur when one or both cultures are unaware of each other customs and mannerisms.

With the use of (Ethnography) this research method is used to learn and understand a person’s

cultural background. This process helps to gain information that builds on knowledge.

This guides the researcher to a better understanding of a cultural group, its communication,

history, ethnicity, social characteristics as well as their health practices and spiritual beliefs.

Data collection is done through observation, interviews, and research.

Although there are many definitions of culture (Paulanka & Purnell, 2008). Culture is universally defined as all inclusive, which everything is learned. For instance, what a person believes, practices, his or her traditions and rituals. These learned experiences including new ones that are added to their existing beliefs as a population, is passed from generation to generation. Culture is composed of three main components, including (a) the visible, which includes race, gender, clothing, ethnicity, religion and socioeconomic. (b) Behavior, such as language, thoughts, communication, actions, customs. (c) The universal rule, known to everyone in a specific population, such as beliefs, and values.

The client who I am interviewing name is Claudette, who is 26 and is widowed, her

husband (Jean) died in 2009, about one year after the birth of their daughter. She is the mother

of a four-year-old daughter who is named Flore. Mrs. C. speaks very little English, she was

introduced to me by my coworker Mrs. Marie R. who knows Mrs. C. because she lives in the

same area of town. Mrs. M. acted as Mrs. C. interpreter for this paper.

Mrs. C. is from Haiti and her ethnicity is black African. In (Paris, 2000). Nearly 95% of

Haiti’s population is of African descent that had been brought to Haiti as slaves. Mr. C....