Abusive Relationship- tspies-blog 6

For the past several years I have been actively involved with a group in Columbus, Ne helping individuals have are vicitims to dating violence, rape, sexual assault etc. I thought I would share so important facts that should be know and applied to life:

First off, "How to help a friend in an abusive relationship?": 1) Be a support by letting your friend know he/she is not alone 2) Even if you are upset that your friend is never spending time with you-ending your friendship will only further isolate him/her and allow the abuser even more control. 3)Let /himher know /heshe doesn't deserve to be treated badly-abuse is NEVER his/her fault 4) Don't blame him/her for staying, but let him/her know they can always talk to you. 5) Help her obtain places that work with abused individuals...Center for Survivors-402-564-2155.

Secondly, The most common form of control in emotional abuse is jealousy. It can take the form of possessiveness or suspiciousness. The abuser may require their partner to always be available to him, not associate with family and friends, and often accuses partner of things he/she did not do.

Thirdly, man are also abuse..often woman take of the abusive role of #2..we simply hear of more women cases.

Lastly, you can find happiness in a good dating relationship- positive characteristics are: 1) Honesty and Responsiblity 2) Open Communication 3) Intimacy 4) Physical affection 5) Fairness and Negotiation 6) Shared Responsibility 7) Respect 8) Trust and Support

NEVER sell yourself short..everyone deserves to feel happy and SAFE!

Making someone happy when your not

I thought our discussion on Tuesday was very interesting about single life.  The most interesting part about it to me is that one of the main purposes if being single is to find yourself and figure out who you are.  This is interesting to me because I never really thought about being single that way.  I have always seen being single as a kind of negative thing at least for me.  I have been in long term relationships since I started really dating.  Now looking back at those early relationships I realized that they didn't work so well because I was not happy with myself at all.  Currently I am in a three year relationship and we are very happy.  Thinking about the discussion in class I realized that since I know exactly who I am and I am happy with it, it is much easier to have a relationship with someone else.  Since I know myself it allows my boyfriend to know exactly who I am.  He knows everything about who I am and he is happy with it.  I do agree completely that you have to be happy with yourself and know yourself before you try to enter a relationship.

crus blog 5

I totally agree with the discussion abouts singles on tuesday. I recently broke up with my boyfriend for the exact reason. I felt as if I only knew who I was in the couple, but not me as my self. I came to this conclusion by watching my sister with her current relationship. My sister has always been in a relationship since she was 13 (now 21). with every relationship she becomes a different person. I also recently had a conversation with my aunt. Her and my uncle are currently in the process of getting divorsed. When discussing the reasons behind the divorse she told me she never knew who she was and woke up one day and realized she wasnt the person she wanted to be. Her and my uncle have been together since they were in highschool. I believe that even though it sucks being single I will greatly benifit in my later relationships because I will know who I am.

jspl Single Life

Our class discussion on choosing to be single was a real eye opener for me. I dated a guy over four years, during those years we experienced lots of changes. I was still in high school when we first started dating, so going to college was exciting for me. But I don't feel like I got as involved in school as I could have because he resisted me changing. Then when he went to school, he joined a fraternity and I then had issues accepting the new person he was becoming. We eventually broke up because I could no longer deal with the new guy the fraternity turned him into.

I took Sociology-Marriages and families, and after that class, I began questioning whether or not I really wanted to get married. So a lot of these same issues we talked in class I have been thinking about. For example, I see a lot of my friends getting married and have children. I never before questioned having children, but now I almost have the feeling that children would limit my life style. I love being an independent person and feel that having kids wouldn't allow me to travel and do things that I want to. I am also scared that if I do marry someone, what if they cheat on me. Sometimes I wonder if marriage is a good idea because the divorce rate is so high. I'm sure one day I will change my mind, but college courses like this one make me question "Is it really worth it?"

druz blog 5

I choose to blog about the conversation of the self we had in class on Tuesday. It really got me thinking about how I see myself and if I know myself as well as I thought. I'm in a relationship right now and I'm really happy in it, however you can't not think about how well you know yourself and how not knowing yourself can affect your relationship. I had to ask my boyfriend if he was happy, and explain what I learned in class about "the self." He thought I was over thinking things, and I agreed because I'm happy and so is he. This is something that would be really interesting to talk to my students about when I start teaching. I never learned this in family consumer science classes in high school and if I had then I would have started thinking more about myself sooner. It would help out a lot of students in high school to make better decisions for themselves, which would be a good thing at that age.

sschm Blog 5

I really enjoyed the topic of last class, single life. This single life is something I've just began to understand. I was that girl who went from boyfriend to boyfriend since I was 15. I was a victim of homeostasis in a relationship. I had this low self esteem and constant attachment to my boyfriends because I never had the time alone to figure things out for myself. This is now the first time in my life I have truly had an elapsed period of time without a boyfriend. Although it has been incredibly hard, I have learned so much about myself. I understand the reasons for the actions I've taken and know that this period of time has been the largest amount of growth I've ever had. So, I completely agree with knowing yourself before you enter into a relationship. It's easy to get intertwined and caught up into a relationship and completely loose yourself. I know that next relationship I do have will be more real and healthy, I'll be able to give more. I'm content with where I'm at and who I am from having this time alone.

Blog 5-tspies

When discussing the single life and certain ideas connected with it I went immediately to my faith and personal beliefs. As a Catholic, the choices that are most recognized are: religious life (nun, brother, or priest), married life ( which must include the intention for children), or the single life (where individuals must be celibate). I think so much in the Catholic church, individuals choose to be single because they do not desire to have children. When hearing of the dangers of multiple sex partners it may not be a bad idea to follow the Catholic rules. To be fair, however, you could marry an individual with a track record to the sky as well. I believe no matter what you choose you much approach every situation with care I believe in both married life or the single life you can find fulfillment: financial security, completeness, career opportunities, and diverse experiences. Never settle for the single life if you cannot find a partner instantly, in-turn, never settle for the married life because that is what everyone else is doing. We live in a world of diversty...do not be afraid to do what makes you happy.

Blog #5 Kste

I also loved the topic of single life that we discussed in class on Tuesday!! It was interesting to see how others viewed being single and discussing the stereotypes of being single. I do believe that being single isn't always by choice but it just means that you know what you want and you don't want to settle for less. I don't believe its because someone can't find someone that likes them in the same way. I believe that everything happens for a reason and there is someone for everybody. Some people really enjoy being single and they want to live that way for the rest of their lives. Others are focused and don't want a relationship to distract them. Its a lot to do with how you view your life and what you are looking for. Not everybody is the same and some things jus happen at different times. I know a couple that didn't really date in high school and then they got together and they were each others first relationship and they ended up getting married a year and half later. They have been married for almost 22 years. It just proves that when the time is right it will happen!

I loved our last class on the topic of being single, especially when we talked about the advantages and disadvantages of being single. When he showed that very disturbing chart on sexual partners “stuff” I just wanted to show it to all the VERY promiscuous men and women out there…… 4000 and something, SICK! (Not that those people would probably care) In today’s society things are our of control, kids are having sex at the age of 13…. and by the time people finally get to a stable relationship, they have had like 10-20 sexual partners. I find this seriously disturbing. Anyone else? But our discussion did make being single sound amazing, but I am one of those people who hasn’t really been single for a long period of time, and it always seemed terrible the thought of being single. Anyways, I do think that there is a difference in being single in Nebraska and being single in California, what is there to do for older people who are single in Nebraska, go to bars? I just wish we had more than one day to talk about all the issues surrounding the ideas and misconceptions of being single.

all my single ladies!

I throughly enjoyed todays class period. It was very interesting to hear what others thought about the single life. When I was a little kid I always thought that I would never be single ever, not even in middle school! Wow how nieve was I to think that. Now I view singleness not as a punishment, but as freedom! Freedom to do what you want, Freedom to figure out who you are. Now I'm not saying a person should be single for there whole life but I do think it does a person good to be single for a long period of there life. It's a good time to reflect on past relationships and how to work out new ones, but also a time to figure out yourself. YEA FREEDOM!

JSol - Blog 5

Being Single-

I found today's lecture to be quite interesting.  I think it is funny that we talk about the idea of being single in family science, because at first glance it would seem that being single would be completely omitted due to lack of a family.  I really enjoyed talking about the misconceptions and actualities of single life and how it affects a family and the person who actually is single.  I also thought it was intriguing when we discussed family pressure to be single or to be in a relationship.  For me, in high school, my parents thought I should be dating, and I didn't.  Now that I am in college, I am dating and have a serious girlfriend, and now my parents are telling me to slow down.  I'm glad we talked about this issue in class.  

JSol Blog 4

I think the portion of class about mid-life is really interesting.  My parents are falling into the mid-life phase and I can see some of the trends we talked about in class.  The most interesting concept I could relate to was the idea of boomarang children.  My sister had a child out of wedlock and had to return home to live with my parents.  They definitely didn't expect it, and even though I had only been to college for a month (at most!) before she had to move back in, they were already very used to the idea of having the house to themselves.  I don't know if it strained their relationship at all, but I have a feeling it had to.  My sister is still living at home, at 24. 

tspies-test blog

After viewing and recalling a majority of the information in my notes, it became apparent to me just how in- depth a family system is and how family diversity is open to almost anything. When answering the essay question today I believe everyone will have to dig deeper to use their knowledge and notes for application. Notes can be cut and dry but when if comes to evaluating a family's health many more factors must be taken into account. A person cannot simply say that their family lacks "positive communication" But must understand what factors prevent them from communicating effectively and how to go and make changes. Like it was said- behavior can change almost instantly but the style takes time. Also, the content of the the argument, whether over putting the toilet seat down or infidelity, may vary, but the progress (how the argument is carried out) reminds the same. Every family is unique in their struggles and strengths. Hopefully, after taking the test this afternoon we will begin to understand not just the information but the ways of positively applying what we have learned to your life or to help others.

Women portrayed in the media

I think the discussion we had about women in the media was very interesting.  Being a women this is a subject that affects me directly.  I think it is very sad and disappointing how women are portrayed in the media.  I also strongly believe that it does affect our youth today.  I think young girls get the impression that they need to look and act like the women in the media.  I also think young boys get the impression that women are expected to look and act like that.  I think that parents need to do a better job of explaining to their kids that it really is just television.  I think the media can only affect your kids as much as you let it.  I think parents can prevent the negative thinking that comes along with being involved with the media.  Overall I do think it is up to us as adults to let our youth know that there are other positive role models in socitey today.

Druz blog 4

I'm going to blog in response to the blog on child support. I agree that some women aren't thinking clearly when they let some guy they are dating get them pregnant and not make that man have to take any responsibility. However, we, as women, should note that there are men out there that want a part in their child's life, but the women refuses to let them. In some states there are laws that if a man wants anything to do with a child he has out of wedlock he has to file papers before the birth of his child and go through this legal process in order to have custody rights for his baby. If he doesn't fill these papers out than he can't have any say in his child's life. I don't think this is a law in Nebraska but it still is a dumb law. This isn't something that people know and it's laws like these that make men give up on wanting rights of his child. I know that this case might be rare but the law makes these cases so messy when it should be easy. When I have a child I want the father to be involved with the child no matter what mine and his relationship is like. You should know what kind of man he is before sleeping with him. If it happens he's someone you don't like, but is good with his baby, than it should be to bad for you, not your child.

sschm Blog 4

I found it very interesting when we talked about how our perceptions change based on the different stages we are in during life. I know my goals and plans have dramatically changed from when I was a child to now. As a child I was going to grow up and be a flight attendant, something that I can not see myself doing today. When I was a child I never envisioned my life turning out the way it has now. You never can anticipate the hard things in life that will change your life goals and plans forever. I sometimes wonder when did it become so hard. I'm learning it's important to find things that make you happy at whatever life stage you may be at. As I enter young adulthood, I will form new realistic dreams and goals. I will become conscious as they continue to change with my age and life experiences.

ktho blog

I'm going to blog about something that I am sure will get alot of reaction, but I guess that is what blogs are really about. We talked very briefly the other day about child support, and this is something I feel very strong about. In today's society there are alot of young females getting pregnant for the wrong reasons, thinking that their "man" will stay with them once they have a family. This isnt always the case. So then we have alot of young females living in poverty off food stamps, still not demanding child support because they are afriad that if they make their "baby daddy" pay child support he wont come home to them at night. We as women need to be stronger than that. I think there needs to be more strict laws regarding the other parent to pay child support not matter how much or what. It takes two to tango, we all know that. I have a really good friend whose co-worker is in this situation, she got pregant at 17 so that the "baby daddy" will want to be with her, but he has two other females with kids!!!!! It just makes me crazy seeing this happen to young girls. We deserve better than that, and those men shouldn't get off that easy........ agree or disagree???

p.s. I wasn't putting all men into that category....

media

Our discussion last Thursday about women and how they were portrayed in the media reminded me of a speaker named Jean Kilbourne. She is a passionate lady who gives speeches titled "killing us softly" which shed light on the ways advertising can be interpreted. Here is a URL for one of her speeches: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1993368502337678412
She's a great speaker, you'll be entertained.

Blog #4 kste

I thought it was really interesting the other day when we talked about the myths for adults when they hit their mid-life. I do believe that they are myths to a certain extent, like I think financing all through your life is going to be difficult because you don't know what the economy will bring you. It's always going to be difficult. Life doesn't get easier. My mom and dad are at this age and they have 3 children in college and next year it will be 4 in college and one in high school. They want us to be successful so this is a hard, crucial time for them also. They hope for us to do well no matter what. The whole midlife crisis thing humors me. We always tell my dad he is going through a midlife crisis because he is on the verge of buying his 3rd motorcycle. We know it's jus a hobby and that he really isn't going through anything we just like to make fun. I think when adults hit this age they are just finding the new things to do that they weren't able to do before because their children were young and they had to worry about starting their careers and families. The empty nest situation could go both ways. My parents are excited that we have left but they do miss us to an extent. I know there are other families that are very sad that their children are gone because then it makes them feel old, but parents are mostly happy to be alone again.

Race and ethnicity

Being a sociology major, I am very familiar with these terms. In previous classes, we have had many discussions over the different meanings of these words. I am very aware of the different experiences minorities encounter. For example I wrote a paper last semester about how children of mixed race couples are disadvantaged. Attitudes of outsiders greatly influence many of the marriages of biracial couples. The divorce rate was higher for biracial couples, because most of them felt added negative pressure from families as well as the general population of racists. Another aspect to consider is unintended residential segregation. This can even been seen in a small city like Lincoln. Most minority families will live in poorer neighborhoods. These neighborhoods have disadvantaged schools because they lack financial backing from parents. When the school is poor, many times they don't have the materials needed to help children succeed in school. This institutionalized form of racism is then past from generation to generation when one minority is not able to succeed, because they are unable to provide a better experience for their children.

Blog 3

Race and ethnicity can be a touchy topic for me. My boyfriend is Latino and I am white. There are people out there who will give you their opinion whether you like it or not. I also have a hard time with race and ethnicity because sometimes different people prefer specific titles. For instance, earlier I mentioned my boyfriend was Latino, he prefers Latino over Hispanic, and certainly over Mexican which several people group him in. Sometimes I am afraid I will offend people when I certainly had no intention.
Also, I feel left out when people talk about their ethnicity. Being white I feel I don't really have a heritage or that there is anything special about me. I would love to have a past and a history to learn about and to be proud of, or to be able to group myself as more than just white.

Race vs Ethnicity

The discussion about race and ethnicity really caught my attention on Tuesday.  I have never really thought about the difference between the two before Tuesday.  I have always known there is a difference, but if someone would have asked me I don't think I could have told them the true difference between race and ethnicity.  I am in early childhood education and in my classes we talk a lot about the students' families and how as professionals we need to get involved with the familes and understand their way of life.  I think it is very important to remember that just because maybe two studnets are the same race that does not mean they share any of the same customs or values.  The lecture on Tuesday really reminded me that race is simply based on physical characteristics, it has nothing to do with someone's values or customs which is ethnicity.  When working with children and their families I need to focus on their ethnicity if I want to truly get to know their way of life and how their family works.  

Druz blog 3

As I was reading chapter 3 something that really made me read twice was the section on femininity. It said how women were taught that their role was to please men, regardless of their won needs and desires. I've heard a lot about how back in the day a woman's role was mother and wife. It just made me so proud to be a woman now, so I have had a chance to see how far we have come. In my family it was always my dad trying to make sure mom was happy because if she wasn't then everyone had to watch out. As a teacher for family consumer science I'm excited to teach the kids in my class what women have achieved and what we still are. I won't blame the boys in my class but i want to teach them that women are their equal and should be treated as such.

sschm Blog 3

The topics of ethnicity and race have been frequent in several of my classes. For me, it's something that I rarely think about. Growing up in a community where almost everyone is the same race it's something that doesn't really cross your mind. I've always been the majority. Studying abroad last semester opened my eyes to feeling the minority. Traveling to several countries around Europe, I was constantly exposed to different cultures, races and ethnicity's. Some people responded well to Americans, and other cultures did not. It was the first time I had been viewed differently because of where I was from, or from the color of my skin. It was a much smaller scaled feeling the little rock nine had to feel. I think professionally, I am better equipped to deal with all people from different backgrounds and appreciate there differences. My management class has been focusing on race and affirmative action and how it influences the workplace. I so appreciated when other people did the same to me. It really opened my eyes to the view points that other countries have based upon Americans. Were really not so loved all over the world. If we wish to be treated equally by others, we must first do the same in return. This can correlate to all factors in our lives.

JSol Blog 3 - Authority

I've also been thinking quite a bit about authority.  My parents are divorced, so the idea of authority was a bit different.  Reflecting on how my family life operated my father was less strict, but I felt like he had more authority because I did not want to let him down.  My mom gave me a curfew and had a set of rules for me to follow, but I found myself breaking them more than I followed them.  Authority is tough for me to put my finger on because people respond so differently and families operate in different ways.  I look forward to learning more about the differences with male-dominated authority versus female-dominated authority.  What I find more interesting is seeing which method proves to be more effective, or if effectiveness with authority is even measurable. 

authority and linage

During the discussion in class on Tuesday I started to think who does have more authority in my family, my mom or my dad? This is what I came up with; my mom is always there to enforce rules, there's never really any break. My dad likes to be a little more lenient but when we do get in trouble with him, its a big deal and there's no going back. Because of this I feel that my siblings and I listen to my dad more than my  mom because we take my dads punishment a little more serious. But I know my mom tries to work on easing up a little, but I pretty sure the maternal instincts just kick in and in the end she just wants the best for us.

ktho-blog 3

I thought yesterday’s lecture was interesting, and I thought the video was really intense. I couldn’t even imagine going through a day at school where people pushed me, made rude remarks, and even threw food at me. I respect those nine teenagers on many different levels, mostly because I know it is something I could never persevere through. I think that understanding the different barriers each ethnic group faces is very important. I liked the slides that were shown, but I would like to get deeper into the situation, for example, why do African Americans make less money than Whites? I thought class was really interesting when our teacher started to ask us how we would describe American culture, or the mother’s role in America, nobody could. It just goes to show that American is really becoming a melting pot. I personally just don’t think everyone is willing to accept this, but progress has obviously been made.

tspies-blog 3

tspies- Blog 3
In my life I have had the great fortune of experiencing a variety of different ethnicities and cultures. I have not simply learned about them, but I have been able to live and interact with them as well. A few years ago, I traveled to Juarez, Mexico on mission, and was actually able to live in a Spanish community. Though each family there has a unique family diversity, the Juarez culture is uniform throughout. (i.e If a teenage boy is in any way talking to a teenage girl outside the family, they are dating.) In many homes the value of family is central: interdependence; however, in the families where the children are in gangs, the family is extremely independent. "One must be careful to assume anything."On another mission to the Dominican Republic, I was also very surprised by what I experienced. The ideas you envision before the trip completely change. In the DR, the people have formed such a different way of life (farming coco and raising chickens), however, each family you live with is different. Also, in a trip to China all I saw was American "Merry Christmas" I guess the saying goes.."To each his own" or "Anything goes" A person must appreciate the differences/cultures of others; this what really gives the world spice and character.

Blog #3 Kste

I thought today's lesson was very important. After watching the first segment in class about the Little Rock Nine you had to have a great impact. The U.S. is a very diverse place more than we actually know, but people don't always classify it in a good way. They go by the race but not where you directly come from, as explained in class. People also classify us by where we live or how we live. I grew up in a small town and I meet new people that have no clue what small town life is like and I have been made fun of for it. People think that just because I'm from a smaller town that I don't have as much experience with job opportunities, people skills, etc. I know this isn't the same for everyone, but I have been told this. I can say that I think I have a lot of people skills because I knew absolutely everyone in my high school I knew who they were, and what they liked to do, and who they hung out with. I knew them as a person not just someone walking down a hall. I guess what I am trying to say is that we can't classify people by just looking at them or associating them with certain areas, like where they came from. We need to get to know people better in order to criticize, associate, or classify them as a certain way.

My Family

So I started to do my genogram think, "oh, my family is normal." But as I got more into it I realized how much really is going on in my family, relationship wise. Like my uncle doesnt talk to his sons any more. And my uncle adopted his step kids. It should be more interesting than I thought.

tspies-Blog 2

After listening to everyones' questions and concerns on Tuesday, I was very much surprised to read a few blogs this evening about nervousness of exposing family information or excitement of getting to know your family better etc. I think the feelings of all classmates vary greatly. However, I was still shocked by several individuals' willingness to expose such personal,even crazy, family history to the class on Tuesday. Many people in the class sat quietly while others were brave enough to share their "not so perfect" family information. Whether you were quiet or open to sharing, I noticed the enormously curiousity of the whole class. I think as humans we are very much intriqued by seeing how others( and their families) interact and then judge our own families. Many ideas about families have been formed by that "socially constructed belief"; however, I think a limited number of families fit that critique. The diversity of families and the micro or meso systems each person faces each day makes each family unique. I think one of the main things to remember when doing this genogram is to learn about your family and maybe the structure is different (and may stick out)but if that structure gives you a solid, well-working function it may just be alright.

Druz blog 2

I feel that the genogram assignment is going to be a challenge for me. I'm not that in touch with any other family members besides one of my Aunt's and a few cousins. Even though I will have to give a little extra effort, it will be worth it to find out more about my family. I feel before I can teach my students about a family and ways they work, I have to know where I came from, and how mine works. It will be interesting to see the information I find about the relationships between some unknown family members, and what it has to do with me. I'm sure I will have to do some serious digging, however if I can learn more about myself and my family members, it will give me personal experience to discuss with my students.

Genogram-ktho

I'm not going to lie; when we first started talking about genograms I was not very excited. I am the type of person who likes everything to be straight and in order, so I of course liked George Bush's genogram. Then our teacher showed a picture of Tiger Woods, and I thought it was confusing and hard to read. Then our teacher said ours should look like Tiger’s. I was like "NOOOOO". This is going to be a little frustrating, but I think that I can be precise and exact and make my genogram look like the example. I did a little practice one on a sheet of paper and I think it is going to be more interesting than I had originally anticipated. Although I have a pretty basic immediate family, I think it will be fun to ask aunts and uncles about dates, events, ect.

Genogram

Although the genogram project sounds like it will be a very exciting experience for the majority of my classmates I am not so thrilled to be working on it. My family is pretty basic, a mom dad and two kids and my extended family (aunts, uncles, and cousins) are all very similar in their formating. The main reason I am not so thrilled is because I know there has been a lot of drama on my one grandmothers side. The thing is my family does NOT talk about it. The only information I know about her family is from bits of conversation I have over heard. I know two of her brothers were gay and both killed themselves, one also killed his lover. (I believe she had more siblings but am unsure if she did and if so how many) However I also know that is just the tip of the iceberg. I am worried to actually ask my family about it because it only brings up fights and awkward moments. I have a feeling once I have completed my genogram it will be pretty basic for the most part and once I get back into my grandmothers family I will either have to stop or have a lot of question marks.

With all that said I do believe the genogram project is a great way for us to better understand to structures of families and get a stronger idea of how our families have worked and still work now.

sschm Blog 2

When we looked at the characteristics of strong families, they all logically make sense but are easier written on paper then acted out. I think positive communication is a loaded topic. I think it's easy to say that you communicate positively or effectively with your family, but I believe this to be the hardest characteristic. I think in general, communication has to be built on a trust and a love. This positive communication has to follow all the other characteristics. You as a family can have time together, have a sense of appreciation and affection and feel commitment, but the communication part seems to be more difficult. With my family personally, we are a very open family but I don't believe that all our family members communicate as openly and positively even with feeling all the other characteristics strongly. Personally, this class has opened my eyes to the relationships and the way my family functions. I am now able to see and understand why things have become the way they are, why I don't feel comfortable and open to communicate with my father after everything he has provided me with. From this class, our relationship and communication have strengthened so much and I think the knowledge and understanding are the biggest problems families may face when dealing with weaknesses. Professionally, this will help me tailor the way I communicate with colleges and my future employees. I'm learning how big of an impact family has on our lives and the way we understand and perceive life. If I can understand a little bit about people's families, I can better understand them and the way they may function.

Blog2-Genogram

The upcoming assignment over our family Genogram actually seems like it will be exciting. I am looking forward to putting it together. At first, I was worried because my family is very "out there" and confusing. But when I was listening to others speak of their families in class on Friday I realized my family was not so different from some others. I think I know almost everything there is to know about my family history but I know this is the time I will be able to ask questions without receiving a weird look. I am excited to be able to do this as a project and it might actually even show me something about my family I didn't realize in the first place.

Blog #2 KSte

I am also very excited to participate in the genogram activity. I have had to make one before but not with this much detail. There really isn't any twists to my family but there are a lot of people on my one side. I think it's just going to be really interesting to find out those extras things that I might not know. I thought it was incredibly interesting in class when we saw Bill Clinton and George Bush's family genograms. We don't always know everything about people and their families and I think this is a good way to understand your own family.
I think I do know a lot already about my family but maybe I'll find out a little bit extra in my family history, such as the illnesses, marriages, etc. Too many don't care about where they come from or why their family is a certain way and I feel the only way you would find out is if you try to ask.

JSol Blog 2 - Family Genogram

I'm really excited to take part in the family genogram project.  I come from divorced parents and divorced grandparents on my mom's side, so it should be pretty expansive.  I found myself tracing out a rough draft during class and I figured it would be a pretty good size, but I'm not sure it will be full of controversy or filled with stories like some examples given in class.  I almost feel like if I am honest and don't add a bit of alcoholism or mental problems it could be misconstrued as I didn't do a thorough enough job.  

I thought it was really interesting to see the differences between the genograms of Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.  It is funny, looking back, that most voters in 2000 were voting for Bush because he was 'the everyday' man.  Looking at his genogram, it is far from it.  He is a legacy at Yale, related to a royal family, and a member of a secret society.  I would argue, now, the Clinton is more of the everyday man because of his past trials and tribulations depicted in his genogram.