Activity 1: Type: Free Text & Discussion
Question: Do you believe families are different in other countries and cultures? Watch the video about Different Family Traditions in the World. Then, reflect.
In some cultures, the grandparents of the family may have a big influence on how the household is run. This influence can be that others choose who you should marry, with whom you should live with and how money is inherited or divided.
Also, cultures have different rules about where the couple will live after marriage. Sometimes, the wife has to move in with the family of her new husband. This still happens in Southern Europe and with immigrant families.
In Northern Europe, it is more common that a new couple will start to live together in a new house or apartment. But the economic crises often make this difficult. Then, the couple has to choose between staying with the family of one of the partners.
Some cultures have rules about who you can marry. In some Asian societies, marriage is restricted to the same caste, the same village, the same religion, or the same race. These social norms are less restrictive in Europe nowadays.
Some marriages end in divorce.
In some societies, divorce is frowned upon, but it is still permitted. Conservative Catholics do not permit divorce except under highly unusual situations, and it then requires special dispensation. The Greek Orthodox Church permits three marriages and three divorces. Islamic law, the sharia, permits divorces, but divorce has legal and social consequences.
Activity 2: Type: Free Text & Discussion
Question: Cultures differ in how much they encourage individuality and uniqueness versus conformity and interdependence. Watch the video about “Me or We? Cultural Difference between East and West” and share your thoughts.
Homework:
Research further a country of your choice and prepare a short report with your conclusions on cultural differences in family dynamics.
Homework:
Interview your caretakers and your other family members about what your family means to them. Think of questions like:
You don’t have to ask them all, just have a good conversation about the topic.