Although the man is regarded as the head of the household in our Cuban society, the woman rules the household as a whole
The majority of family choices are made by my father, sometimes with the help of my mother.
Being the oldest boy, I share the majority of "father" responsibilities with my father
We go fishing together on the weekends, though occasionally my father makes supper. Both my parents are decision makers and at time my mother takes full charge of certain decisions.
What does your culture and family see as primary family goals (education, marriage, etc?)
Interviewee 1: Culturally, a customary marriage, usually organized in place by the extended family forms the primary family goals in Cuba for it is revered as transition from childhood to adulthood. My parents on the other hand give education the upper hand.
Interviewee 2: My family holds dear the thought of being educated and learned.
What is your culture's view on alternative lifestyles (living together prior to marriage, domestic partnerships, single parenting, etc.)?
Interviewee 1: Marriage, fostered by our culture is a stage in life that is held in high regards. Fathers, mothers and other family members would want to see their daughters get married someday. As a result, any atypical diversion to singlehood is frowned upon and gay marriages are shunned
Interviewee 2: Many of our family lifestyles are not governed by culture. Getting married or not is an individual choice. It is not uncommon to see unmarried couples living together. In the event two people agree to get married, domestic chores are not centered or fixed onto one person. My father for example picks up my little sister from school when my mom is away.
What are your family's religious beliefs, and have they changed over generations?
Interviewee 1: My family is what I'd call a staunch religious family. My parents have been Roman Catholics for as long as I can remember but two of my siblings are agnostics.
Interviewee 2: My mother is a Christian. My father is an atheist. I am an atheist but we do let these religious disparities get in the way. Everyone remains entitled to their belief and any change would be my small brother transitioning from being a Christian to an atheist.
What are your family's spiritual beliefs around death and dying?
Interviewee 1: Owing to the deep rooted religious beliefs, most Cubans believe in the soul being eternal while the body representing the physical form is unimportant after death. The dead are believed to be alive spiritually and are still part of the family, only in a different dimension, the spiritual form.
Interviewee 2: Death is part of human demise that is inevitable. Most of my family members believe that after death exists nothing else but rotting flesh which is merely biological process. It is nature's way of creating new life and as a result we have spiritual beliefs pertaining to death.
What are your culture's education and occupational status within the family unit?
Interviewee 1: Our Cuban culture emphasizes on educating the youth on importance of one's culture. At young age of seven, boys are taught masculine roles while girls are taught feminine duties. Manifesting itself in our family is the distinct roles between my sister and i. on Saturdays while I clean the garage, she tends to the flowers. Our culture takes the highest hierarchical position in our family.
Interviewee 2: Culture has no major impact on how our family runs and in fact takes the lowest position during decision making.
What are your cultures' preferred communication methods (verbal and nonverbal)?
Interviewee 1: Although we speak Spanish fluently, we Cubans are rich in communicating non-verbally while concentrating on gestures, facial expression and even through dressing.in our culture for instance, taking a step backwards while in the middle of a dialogue to be offensive. Non -verbal communication is prevalently used.
Interviewee 2: For the most part, people communicate verbally to each other. Nonverbal cues are used but not so often. Dialogue forms our communication channel.
What does your culture opine about the current rise in gay marriages? What are your views?
Interviewee 1: Gay marriages are against the Cuban cultures and anyone found guilty of it is likely to be treated as pariah. Although this is changing, the cultural impact still holds a firm stance in its unacceptability. Gay people are human beings little bit different in sexual orientation but normal. They deserve a chance too.
Interviewee 2: Unlike recent years, gay marriages something is are attuned to here in California. Gay marriages are celebrated every time and even though there's friction between gay activists and anti-gay activists, soon (after a long, long struggle) homosexuality is going to be a universal human movement with its own rights governing and protecting its people. I do not mind gay people. In fact I do have a lot of gay friends.
Are there differences in effects concerning gender roles in males and females? Why?
Interviewee 1: I believe both men and women suffer equally from gender rigidity. Many men are in agony trying to suppress emotions because they are men- and real men do not "feel". Women on the other end are caged the bondage of culture- "Oh is that the kitchen? Someone must be there, in starving".
Interviewee 2: Although suffering differently, these two parties scar from the cultural and societal expectations. Roles perpetuated culturally to women denies them the opportunity to delve into certain careers which, who knows? This could be the inception of a new era full of possibilities. Men expected to be rigid when it comes to certain emotions defies the whole idea of being human.
Do you think it is appropriate for females to be more masculine than females?
Interviewer 1: Well, I believe every woman is entitled to her body. That is entirely up to her to decide. If masculinity is what she likes, well and well. If she prefers to be lean, it's totally okay too.
Interviewer 2- I love this one, ha-ha. Let women be.
Family Interview
Society gender roles are the responsibilities given to family or society members. Since the founding of human species, male and gender roles have existed and it is for this reason that early man's social life revolved around distinct parts. Different cultures resonate differently with societal gender roles. Surviving is two sides: the masculine and the feminine side to which each has an affixed expected behavior. With minimal role overlap, most societies place the man in the highest hierarchical ladder together with his role as the provider and performing male like duties. The woman christened as the "home caretaker" does the protective task of cooking, taking care of the house and cleaning. Cuba and U.S.A share close a geographical occupation, but in each, the inhabitant's disparity regarding culture is disproportionately large. The gap difference in cultural heritage helps describe just how culture varies widely from people to people. My two interviewees, one being of Cuban descent and the other, a typical American, helps understand just how culture has a lot to do with the way of life, gender and family roles.
The interview reflects a striking difference when it comes to culture between the two respondents. Unlike the American, a considerable proportion of Cuban culture comprises of beliefs, customs, and norms that influence their way of communication and life in general. Culturally, a typical Cuban family sees the man as the head and the woman as the second head. Culture being ingrained and still governing human behavior; alternative lifestyles considered out of the culture lane are chastised and unacceptable. Gay marriages and singlehood for a mature woman are branded an "out-of-this culture" behavior that needs to be repaired. Beliefs surrounding the dead are spiritually revered in this islands culture which shows just how much culture and its beliefs play a crucial role in the views and opinion of human beings. The American culture, with little culture controlling way of life, seems like what anyone would call "freestyle." With little or no spiritual beliefs on death, support of alternative lifestyles, no specific gender roles for members and education construed as a priority shows just how much a vast difference in culture exist between the Cuban and North American people. The two interviewees, though of different cultural backgrounds, share same thoughts on current issues affecting the 21st century man. Both interviewees are cognizant of the existing social problems and possess an awareness that comes forth with an open-mindedness that obscures any cultural belief that might have been previously present. Concerns that the family members of interviewee one might show resentment to are the ones the respondent supports. This is due to the socio-economic forces.
Conclusion
A girl nurtured in a family full of professional women grows up understanding an entirely different culture from the one the fore parents knew. The girl grows up identifying herself professionally and aims for greater heights. Higher education and interaction with members of different cultural origins erodes her role as the kitchen woman, and this is why we see the modern women in careers that were otherwise thought to be male-dominated. Her overall relationship with others is both male and female rich. The cultural aspect may have ingrained the thought that the woman ought to be in the kitchen while taking care of the home. The man's role from medieval times, to hunt and provide food has taken a route down to this generation. Even though not hunting traditionally as before, working to ensure food at the table has substituted hunting, representing the dynamic changes associated with culture. These distinct gender roles always passed from generation to generation shape the overall structure of the family regarding the position. Every family has its own way of determining the family head, which privileges, obligations or authority is assigned to each member. When one thinks of a family member and says "...never does or always...". It points the family role. Gender and societal cultures acquired in the early years of life are rooted in the human mind more than occupational cultures derived from school or work. Family roles overtly shapes communication and interaction methods between family members (Lindsey, 2015). As in most families, parents are recognized as the executives and family heads. Children on the other hand are the mindless followers (although this is changing). Family and gender roles have a significant effect on individual relationships. These roles are seen inculcated in children at very young ages by their parents. A study on middle age families showed that girl's rooms are deluged of dolls and culinary toys while the boys' room consisted of military trucks, water guns and superhero toys like Batman. Not obvious at first glance, these roles are unconsciously recorded into the child's mind- the girl should have feminine qualities and toys because she's the homes caregiver. A close knitted relationship therefore exists between the mother and daughter as gender roles makes them partners in roles serving. The husband, the provider works. Associated with this work is the physical strength that comes affixed with being a man (as evident on the Batman toy) the boy child grows up in the father's footsteps, and hence a relationship, stronger than what the father has with the daughter has with the daughter is created. As a result, children grow up determining their roles in the family. Boys take after their father while girls after their mothers (Rey, 2014). This then goes without saying that this culture is carried forward to every aspect of the child's life. Consequently, boys are seen hanging out with their male friends playing with the same "boy toys". A diversion from this trend, let's say a boy playing with a pink doll, affects the relationship built between these male youngsters. To others, this behavior isn't typical of males as previously taught also and defies his identity as being male.
Modern life has melted down the gender roles, and the gap between different genders has narrowed. Though culture and its expected conformity continues to govern way of life, soon with the rapid globalization and the world transforming into a global village governed not by but by facts and science.
References
Lindsey, L. L. (2015). Gender roles: A sociological perspective. Routledge.
Rey, J. M. (2014). Changing gender roles in popular culture. Variation in English: Multi-dimensional studies.
