Kimberly Monteau Cultural
culture
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Growing up our parents taught us that skin color did not matter. We were all different on the outside but the same on the inside. It was always said to us that "we are all gods children" While this answer was given to us from a young age, I can recall many times when we would ask questions about why we did things the way we did and others did them differently. The older I get the more I have realized it is all part of what makes up my family culture and that all of us are just a little unique in our own culture.
Photo by edenpictures
Affection
Love and affection was always around in our home. I remember always being told that I was loved, hugged, kissed..ext. But in some of my friends homes I never did see the same affection. They found ways to show affection, I'm sure of it, but it was just different. Some of my friends parents bought the material things instead, to show love and gratitude. While others, at times, I wondered if their parents even knew they existed. I knew then we were different then a lot of families. My parents were raised in a loving home and culture were it was ok to express your feelings, to hug, and kiss each other. Therefore, we were brought up in the same type of family. It was a positive reinforcement for us from our parents that has continued now into my own family today.
Photo by macinate
Addressing people
When meeting new people we were always to give them a good firm handshake and address them with Mr. or Ms. before their first or last name. We never were able to call anyone older then us by just their first name. This is something I have seen carry on into my family today. My step sons still call me Ms. Kim, even after being told that it was ok to address me as just "Kim". My stepsons have been taught to address everyone with Ms. or Mr. before name and give a good firm handshake when meeting anyone new. I have even noticed this in a lot of my friends children over the years. Children who use to just call me Kim or my husband John now refer to us as Mr. John or Ms. Kim.
Photo by just.Luc
Using words like "Sir" or "
"Mam" is a sign of respect in our family culture. We use the words to address anyone of any age while speaking to them. But I have often had to apologize in the past for saying "Sir" or "Mam" to someone.I have found that some see it as you are referring them as being your elder and take it rudely.
Photo by Pierre Metivier
Our family is very close and live close to each other. We might be within 100 miles of pretty much everyone in the family. Very few family members move away and stay away for any long periods of time. I would have to say that is because we are such a close family. I can't imagine not having a huge family get together during holidays, weddings, and birthdays. We all come together and support each other in good and bad times. I love knowing that no matter what in life I will always have someone to lean on.
Photo by Yves Hanoulle
The old expression "it take a village to raise a child" runs strong in my families culture. We not only rely on and support our blood family, but also our community of friends to help out in times. I can remember growing up we often had family friends over helping to bail hay or work the cattle. The ladies would always take the time to watch the children while the men would work on whatever project needed to be worked on around the house. I can remember going over to lots of other family friends houses while dad did the same to help them out. We don't just come together in times of need, but at all times. Big family friend gatherings for dinner have always been a thing and still our today with us. Family hasn't always been about blood.
Photo by qthomasbower
Our family culture has been big on always growing and raising food for ourselves. We live on small amounts of land and grow about all of our own produce. While many of us have ventured away from raising most of our livestock for meat. We still keep the gardens growing year round. It's neat to be able to exchange ideas with each other on how to keep certain vegetables growing based upon things our grandparents have taught us.
Photo by www.metaphoricalplatypus.com
Living on the coast has created a strong family culture and love for fishing in my family. We grew up spending quality time with each other by fishing.Not only were we spending time together but we were often catching some of the meals we would later eat. This is something that still runs very strong within my own small family with my husband and the boys. Fishing days were never looked at like a choir but instead a time for family to spend together.
Photo by akeii
We were brought up believing in god. You did not miss church on a Sunday morning. We always say that we grew up Baptist with Methodist feet ( my family loves dancing). The majority of our family is still big on attending the same church that we attended as children and now that our children attend with us. This has lead to many of our family marriages being held within the same church. Which I feel is a pretty neat thing.
Photo by Gulfu
Hunting is big in my family culture as well. We grew up hunting deer, ducks, dove, elk, and even wild hogs. While this has been more for sport then because we needed the food, it has been a way that we have provided food in our families for generations. We also looked at hunting as a time for quality family time. Even when members (like myself) don't hunt, we still go with the family to the lease to have family time.
Photo by MarkGregory007
These are just a few things that have help create me into who I am today based upon my family culture.
Photo by `James Wheeler
