1. Watch Two American Families http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/two-american-families/ (84 minute video)
a) What is the central theme of the film? Provide a summary of the documentary.
Response: The central theme of the video was about 2 different American families over the past 20 years, one black (The Stanley’s) and one white (The Newmann’s), going through financially struggles after a downfall with work. The camera crew followed the family throughout the years showing how they survived and what kept them going. There was a difference in both families but through it all both families kept their faith in God throughout everything. One of the families had martial struggles because of the downfall in work and the bills were piling up and it was just a stressful time for the family. Both families made sacrifices to insure that their children were fed and had clean clothes.
b) Describe the changes experienced by both families over the course of time.
Response: Both families were making enough income to pay all their bills and stay on top of everything. The Newmann’s had 3 children with a steady income until Mr. Newmann lost his job and he found another job but making less then what he was making before. Mr. Newmann was their only source of income. Both families struggled to keep up with the bills and the mortgage on their home. Mrs. Newmann was a stay at home mom until the demand for her to work was at an all-time high. She began working but her son wasn’t so happy with the decision. He was used to his mother being home when got from school. Like Mr. Newman, Mr. Stanley lost his good paying job as well. However; in the Stanley’s household, both Mr. and Mrs. Stanley were the source of income of the household. Mr. Stanley found another job making half of what he was making before. The Stanley’s had 5 children. In the end, The Newmann family did not last. Mr. and Mrs. Newmann separated and the Stanley family felt as if they failed.
c) What insights did you gain from watching the film?
Response: The insights I gained from watching the film were powerful. It touched me that even when they were not making the American dream income they still kept their faith in God. They attended church on a regular. Both families made sacrifices for their children. The Stanley family was even able to send their oldest son off to college even though it was a struggle. Both families wanted nothing but the best for their children. They wanted their children to grow up and be better than their own parents. But by the looks of it both families did what they had to do to survive in that tough economy.
2. Watch the episode on Cultural Psychology in the Discovering Psychology Series (episode #26) http://www.learner.org/series/discoveringpsychology/index.html a) Summarize the video. What are the main concepts and messages in this video?
Response: The video was mainly about cultural and how it uniquely identifies us as individuals. Culture can be what we eat, the things we do, the way we praise and worship, the clothes we wear and many more. How we relate to others depends on the culture around us and how we interpret behavior can reveal how culture shapes us. Independent motive being can be seen in the US and in Western Europe where they feel responsible for their own actions. Interdependent motive is more in the East Asian ways.
b) Why is this information important for early childhood educators to understand and apply? Be specific. Use at least one example.
Response: This information is important in early childhood educators because you’ll have children from different backgrounds with different cultures. You want to be able to interpret information in a way that they’ll be able to understand. You also want to make sure that when presenting information to children about different cultures that you don’t offend anyone or relay the wrong information.
c) How does the information relate to what is in the first 2
