Cultural Background

Abstract

This paper will tell of my cultural background. I will speak of the Irish and Dutch aspects of my culture. It will discuss what I have learned about myself and my family by studying these cultures. It will look at the way my views have changed about my family. It will also give some further thoughts I have had as a result of this assignment.

A Look at My Cultural Background and How It Affects Me

This paper will tell of my cultural background. It will discuss the Irish and Dutch cultures. It will discuss what I have learned about my family and my self in relation to these cultures. It will also tell some of my further thoughts about this paper and assignment.

According to the baby book my mother filled out for me (personal communication, 1974), my family is mostly Irish and Dutch with some German, welsh and Scottish. I will look at the Irish and Dutch in this paper since they are the major cultures in my background. When I interviewed my mother about our cultures (personal communication, 2007), her only comment was “Unless you mean American I have no clue, and we have no traditions from anywhere but America.” This was such a big help to me in writing this paper.

The Irish part of my cultural background is very interesting to me. The Irish are very religious and tend to “inwardly assume that anything that goes wrong is the result of their sins” (p. 595) (McGoldrick, 2005). The Irish are dreamers. They are also hard workers. According to McGoldrick (2005), “They are good-humored, charming, hospitable and gregarious, but often avoid intimacy. They love a good time, which includes teasing, verbal wordplay, and sparring, yet are drawn to tragedy.” (p. 595)

The Irish are clannish. They are very loyal to family. They live in a country with a lot of rain but few resources. There has been extreme poverty in the land. They have been ruled and controlled by the...