Family Composition

Topic: Ideal Family Forms/Family composition

Source: Me!

 

Relation: Comparing my family composition to that of the typical, "ideal family in America"

Description: Before my parents got divorced, we fit the mold of an ideal American family. My family consisted of my mom, dad and younger brother. We even had a pet to complete the cookie cutter family composition. After my parents' divorce, the perfect family composition became complicated. My dad married a women about 5 years after his divorce from my mom. His new wife had two kids, making them my step-siblings. My parents have always had 50/50 custody of my brother and I so we would go back and forth between them quite frequently. Shortly after my dad's wedding, my stepmother and him had a child, Zachary, who is my half brother. My dad has since divorced his second wife and he is now single. My mom has never been remarried. Now that I am old enough I don't have to adhere to custody agreements, I visit my parents as I please. My two younger brothers, however, still go back and forth between their moms and our dad. Most people find this to be complicated but to me it's nothing out of the ordinary. One thing I find especially weird though, is that I now have "ex" step-siblings and an "ex" stepmother whom I no longer speak to. 

Commentary/Analysis: While my family composition might seem complicated, to me it's normal. Having a different family composition than most of my friends has never affected me in any negative way. I am not bitter about having divorced parents and I think that the way I have grown with my family has shaped who I am today.

Topic: Ritual

Source: Personal experiences within my sorority

Relation: Rituals are a key part in any culture. Rituals are unique to each and every culture and hold some type of special meaning. I consider my sorority to be a culture, and as such the rituals we practice are very sentimental and important to us. 
*Ritual, a dramatic rendering or social portrayal of meaning shared by a specific body of people in a way that makes them seem correct and proper, (Robbins, 84).

Description: In my sorority we participate in about five specific rituals per semester. They are confidential ceremonies that take place when we initiate in new sisters and when sisters go alum. We also do them for other various important moments that may take place within the sorority. Our rituals are all run in a similar way and we have to dress a certain way when we attend them. Sometimes when I'm in the ritual I'm not paying attention to what's going on which makes me question their importance. However, when I sit and reflect on them I realize just how crucial, important and meaningful they really are. One of the biggest reasons I feel this way is because thousands upon thousands of other Delta Phi Epsilon sisters are participating in these same rituals across the country. Also, for the past 80 or some years these rituals have taken place within every other chapter of D Phi E that has ever existed. 


Commentary/Analysis: Rituals are a very important part of culture because they are unique, different and hold a special meaning to the people participating in them. Brushing your teeth twice a day is even considered a ritual and to some people it's really important and almost second nature. The rituals I take part in within my sorority are special and sacred and after realizing their importance, I won't ever take another one for granted. The rituals are like an unspoken language that my Delta Phi Epsilon sisters and I can only understand and relate to. This makes them extra special to me.

TITLE: AMERICAN FOOTBALL: an aspect of USA culture that some hate

TOPIC: American Football

SOURCE: http://jigarbpatel.blogspot.com/2009/02/5-things-i-hate-about-usa-part-5.html as well as "real life" observation which took place on Superbowl Sunday with about 8 friends, both male and female. 

RELATION: Football, as the book states, "provides a small scale rendering of a concept that is too complex to be directly comprehended," (Robbins, 24). This is so true as football is a complex concept. There are many ways to analyze it but there are no clear cut reasons as to what exactly football "means". 

DESCRIPTION: With Superbowl Sunday happening just a week ago, I've decided to reflect on the day itself. With some people feeling so strongly as to wish it was a national holiday, I can only wonder why this day is SO significant to many. When I woke up on Superbowl Sunday, I had about a million options for places to watch it, complete with great food and company. Yet, I didn't really care too much about the game itself. Trying to decide which friend's house to go to was stressful in itself and I almost stayed home to do homework instead. However, I couldn't pass up some free homemade food. Obviously I wasn't in it for the game. I got to my friend's house and we started to watch the game. I probably watched a total of 10 minutes but the boys that also came were glued to the TV. Emotions ran high the entire game and when the game finally ended, there was tension. Some of the boys present had just lost a bet with the Giants winning and they were clearly upset that they had to pay up. This was all so interesting to me as I was not really into the whole glorified event. 

Some funny quotes from http://jigarbpatel.blogspot.com/2009/02/5-things-i-hate-about-usa-part-5.html..

Ass slapping, tight pants, excessive protection, and a ridiculously shaped ball. Sounds like a bunch of schizophrenic ten-year-olds developed this game.
   - Oscar Wilde

If a man watches three football games in a row, he should be declared legally dead. 
    - Erma Bombeck

Most football teams are temperamental.That's 90% temper and 10% mental.
   - Doug Plank

"Pro football is like nuclear warfare. There are no winners, only survivors. - Frank Gifford

It's interesting what this quote states, because the book has a similar commentary about the violence of the game and the war-like nature of it. I never considered football "warlike" until I was reading the chapter and it is easy to see now. Only one winner, fighting till the death pretty much. It's all so very interesting. 

COMMENTARY/ANALYSIS: I am in no way hating on the game of football. Yes, it is entertaining but maybe a little over glorified just as all professional sports are. It is definitely an interesting subject to dissect and take a closer look at.