Home Culture

This week in class we discussed the many different cultures that exist within a home, and how those cultures differ with each family. In terms of culture within a society, it is the symbols, languages, beliefs, values, and artifacts that belong to it. Although, on a more intimate level, our families also have cultures that are specific. These cultures are maybe a result of generations of influence, “my parents did it, so I do too” type of thing, they can be ones that have been created as the family has grown and experienced change, or maybe they are even things that have been borrowed from looking at the life and culture of another family.

To provide some examples of family culture, here are two aspects of my own family culture that I would like to perpetuate moving forward, and two aspects that I would like to either set aside or improve:

Perpetuate:

1. Family drives and/or movie night- Growing up my family was always pretty consistently busy. Both my mother and father worked, and my brother and I were involved in many extracurricular activities throughout the school year. Despite this, we always tried to make time to spend with each other, especially on the weekends. We have always been a family who loves to take rides and watch movies, it’s something that we’ve created a love for. This is something that I hope to take with me as I move forward with my own future, maybe even finding more ways in which we can spend time together in ways that we love.

2. Willingness to serve- My mother and father are my greatest examples of service. They are always happy to lend a helping hand and often put the needs of others before their own. (Though that is something that one needs to be careful of sometimes. It is important to not give more than you are able to and protect your health spiritually, mentally, and physically.) I hope to continue a habit of helping and service in my own family culture, because I know that it brings true joy to one’s life.

Set Aside or Improve:

1. As I have mentioned in a previous blog, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My mom, dad, and brother are as well. Something so special about the church is the emphasis and importance that it places upon the family. They are central to the plan of God. As such, the church teaches many ways in which the family can become stronger together and stand firm in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Although my family is spiritual yes, moving forward I would like to improve the number of spiritual activities that take place in my home. An example of this might be daily family prayer and/or scripture study.

2. Mother/Father date night- It might a little confusing as to why I have placed this here under set aside or improve, but it is because it’s something that my parents weren’t very frequently able to do, and I would love to implement/improve in my own life if I get the chance. Even in a marriage, I believe that a husband and wife should take time to date one another! Obviously, it isn’t always going to be so easy. Perhaps the schedules are too tight or maybe there isn’t anyone that is able to watch over the children. In any case, though it can be difficult, I want to make this a part of my future family culture.

Thinking and putting together these examples was super fun for me, we even got to share our thoughts with our peers in class and I loved hearing what others were saying. (I even heard some things that I would be interested in “borrowing” for my own future family one day too!) It is so interesting and special to see the similarities that can exist between two families. Although, it can be even more interesting to observe the differences and see what it is that makes a family so unique.

What is your family culture like? Maybe you should try out this activity for yourself and make a list of things you want to perpetuate, things you want to set aside/improve, and things that you may want to borrow from another family. I’d love to hear what you come up with if you are willing to share! Until next time,

Stay Golden!