PBS Website Reflection Paper

Running head: GLOBAL ECOLOGY OF THE FAMILY 1

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GLOBAL ECOLOGY OF THE FAMILY 2

Abstract

External environments have a significant effect on the functioning of families. Families

are structured upon cultural and societal guidelines. In the American society, the role of the

family is much evolved and different as compared to that in Africa. In the American society,

gender roles are less clearly defined. The families presented in the reflection will show the

difference especially on gender roles where the man is supposed to provide in some communities

while in others both the husband and wife play equal roles in catering for the family’s financial

needs. Migrating to the United States is associated with opportunities and fortune in life.

However, the perception is presented as a mere mirage since the two families migrated in this

discussion face more hardships in the States than they faced in their home countries (Nigeria and

Mexico). The families have to redefine their roles and adapt immediately to make a living. Ngozi

enrolls in a nursing class while Flores’ wife seeks employment in a farm.

Keywords: Family, interaction, gender roles.

GLOBAL ECOLOGY OF THE FAMILY 3

Introduction

The family structure has evolved over the years to accommodate social influences,

economic influences, technological influences and political influences. The family as the most

basic unit of socialization is associated with developmental patterns and determination of various

aspects of human development. According to Bronfenbrenner (1986), the family is one of the

several settings in which developmental process occurs. There is no independence or autonomy

among these settings. External environments have an equal role in child development to an

internal environment which takes into consideration various aspects relating to family structure

and its operations. This paper will compare two families (Ogoni refugees and Mexican laborer)

drawing ideas from the discussion on the ecology of the family.

1. Similarities and Differences between the Two Families

The Nwidors are resettled in Chicago after their tribe, the Ogoni, faced increased hostility

from the Nigerian government forcing them to settle in a refugee camp. Pedro Flores has been

separated from his family for thirteen years. He sees them twice a year. Flores wishes he had

more time with his family. He tries to save more money so that his family can legally migrate to

the United States. Life in Mexico is unbearable. There is nothing to harvest from the farms.

Educating their children is a major challenge in Mexico. The two families have high hopes for

the migration to America. They are founded upon similar social structures where the nuclear

family lives in close relationship with the extended one. Their major difference is that among the

Nwidors, the husband makes significant decisions while among the Flores, the wife decides to

move to Mecca, a move which changes their life for the worse.

GLOBAL ECOLOGY OF THE FAMILY 4

2. Reasons they left their country

The Flores migrated since the husband had limited time with the family. He wanted them

in Kansas where he lived. The Nwidors migrated to explore better opportunities in America after

being profiled by the Nigerian government forcing them to settle in refugee camps.

3. How were they able to get to the US?

The Nwidors had an easy time migrating to the United States since they were living in

refugee camps. The Flores had a major challenge having their immigration documents signed.

However, they were motivated by their high hopes about America.

4. Where did they arrive? What were their living conditions?

When the Nwidors settled in Chicago, their high expectations are shunned by the difficult

and different life as compared to the one they were living in Nigeria. Ngozi complains that the

American society lacks community. This is a major difference between the American approach

to family structures and the African one (taking an example from Nigeria). In the American

society, the child is brought up by the nuclear family while in Nigeria, the extended family and

the society takes part in the process. Israel is advised by his doctor to stop working until he can

manage his blood pressure. Back home in Nigeria, family members expect him to send money

with the belief that his life is better in America.

5. How did they adapt?

Their life in America resembles that of the Nwidors. Flores’ salary cannot sustain the

whole family. They have shattered hopes. However, few days after settling, Garden City in

Kansas provides a better place for the family. The older children are enrolled in high school. The

opportunities they could not get in Mexico are available in America. The family migrates to

Mecca due to Ventura’s constant complains. She wants to live with her extended family. The two

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families, Nwidors and Flores, face similar challenges in America. They are used to a different

social life in Mexico and Nigeria which I hard to find in America. Their hopes of getting money

and better lives remain to be a mirage. Ngozi studies nursing to ensure that she plays an

important role in her family's financial needs. In Mecca, the Flores engages in hard work to

manage the hard economic times in America.

6. Challenges Faced

In episode 2, Ngozi has completed her nursing studies while Israel lands a job in a metal

company. The co-workers are unfriendly. He faces a racist police officer who hurls insults at him

and his Vietnamese friend. He faces discrimination as he comes to terms with the challenges of

surviving in America. The difference between African and American family perceptions comes

up when Ngozi is pregnant. Israel, holding the ancient African belief on children hopes that

Ngozi will give him a boy. He argues that if one does not get a boy, the society insults you until

you get one. Ngozi gives birth to a boy. In episode 3, Israel still believes that he has to get a

better job to cater his children's needs. The naming process after Ngozi gives birth portrays a

significant difference between the two cultures. Israel names him Karm, a name given to the

strongest tree in their homeland. Towards the end, Israel concludes that if he had a chance, he

would advise people wishing to come to America to cut their hopes and stop viewing it as second

heaven. The Flores faces significant challenges settling in Mecca. They are forced to engage in

hard labor to sustain their financial needs unlike when they were in Kansas.

7. Outcome of their families

The two families had high expectations on their migration to the United States. However,

their dreams were not realized. They ended up struggling to make a living and fitting in a racist

GLOBAL ECOLOGY OF THE FAMILY 6

society. Their family structures were disoriented as they tried to align themselves with the fast

moving life in America.

8. Helping the Families adapt

While proposing a model to help the families adapt, it is important to consider the

economic and sociological state of their families. According to Toppelberg & Collins (2010),

many children of immigrants live in families exposed to multiple risk factors such as poverty,

poor schools, and discrimination. The two families can be helped to adapt by identifying the

qualifications of the family members and providing employment. The children should be taken to

school to learn.

9. Reaction to the Score

I scored 8/9 on the test. The test is informative about illegal immigration in the United

States.

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References

Bronfenbrenner, U. (1986). Ecology of the family as a context for human development: Research

perspectives. Developmental Psychology, 22(6), 723-742.

Toppelberg, C. O., & Collins, B. A. (2010). Language, Culture, and Adaptation in Immigrant

Children. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 19(4), 697–717.

http://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2010.07.003

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