Yvonne Palfreyman

FHS 2400
3A: Ethnic Families: We all have opinions and biases and most of us think stereotypically. In
order to become more objective in our thinking, we must become more aware of these thoughts.
Being honest with yourself, what stereotypes do you have about African Americans; Latinos;
Asians Americans; Native Americans and European Americans? Where did you get these
stereotypes? Are they fair assumptions? What examples do you have that contradict your
stereotypes?

When I was growing up my mom never said rude comments about anyone, however I just
knew she didnt approve of someone we knew marrying an African American. I also heard many
people speak negatively about all the Latinos that were moving in close by, and I was use to
Polynesians because I went to school with many. I started to have a few negative thoughts about
different races when I was a child, I saw how some Polynesians were getting into trouble with
gangs and how my brother almost got sucked into that world. Because of this I probably had a
few stereotypes of my own, until I got older, married and had kids of my own.
I live in an area where I have many different races around me, and my oldest was the
minority in his elementary school. The school consisted of mostly Latinos, but there were a few
Indian, Polynesian, African American, and Asian Americans in the school. Because of this I have
come to learn not to stereotype and to get to know people individually. I have seen that all races
have good people along with the bad and to not judge by the color of the skin. Most of my
childrens friends are of a different race then ours. I am happy about this because my children are
growing up accepting all races.
With this said I have noticed that many of the Latinos that live around me have many
people living in their home. I often thought this was weird and wondered sometimes how they fit
that many people in their small home. After reading the text I started wondering if it has to do
with making sure everyone in their family is being taken care of. Strong & Cohen (2014) said
there is close kin cooperation and mutual assistance, especially in times of need, when the
family bands together (p. 101). I have seen how the Latinos truly care about their families and
just never put the two together. I think it is wonderful they do this and wish more people were
willing to help their families in the same way. Now that I am older, and no longer a teenager I
can see how important it is not to use stereotypes, because you never truly know someone until
you take the time to know them.



Reference List
Strong, B, & Cohen, T.F. (2014). The marriage and family experience: Intimate relationships in
a changing society (12
th
ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.