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Running head: Family Study

Study of my Family Origin

Kelly E. Burg
SW 3110
Wayne State University

FAMILY STUDY
History of Poland and Germany
Germany and Poland are located near each other. They are both located on the continent
Europe. With them being so close to each other, much of the German and Polish culture and
development are very similar. (Cutis 1994), December 1991 marked a milestone in PolishGerman relations when the parliaments of both countries ratified a treaty of friendship and
cooperation. This shows that Poland and Germany hold a close spot to each other. There is a
long history between Poland and Germany.
There are also different family celebrations and rituals that have been passed down in my
Polish culture that once started in Poland. According to (Piszek 1971), he states that, There are
also family celebrations and even, independent of any fixed calendar. They center around birth,
marriage, and death. This statement is very true to my family. No matter how old someone is
turning we always find time in our busy schedule to celebrate the birth of someone. We also take
marriage and death very seriously. It is always to celebrate ones life in our family no matter how
close we are to them or not. If they are family we are always there for them.
(Yue 2000), Likewise many second-generation foreigners born and raised in Germany
still have to apply formally and in the process to prove their German-ness. This quote stood out
to me because my Grandfather was born in Germany and I dont feel like he gave me a good
understanding of the German culture because he wasnt very German like, himself. I feel like I
have a better understanding of the Polish culture because my Grandmother was more involved
and more Polish like.

FAMILY STUDY
Crises and Challenges for Family
Growing up in my family wasnt easy. Over the years, I have faced problems dealing with
both sides of my family. My parents got divorced when I was eight years old. My father
abandoned my mother and I. He didnt start speaking to me until I was eighteen years old. It
wasnt easy just growing up with only a mother. I came from a pretty wealthy family. My mother
had never worked a day in her life and she also never had to go to college because my father
supported her. My father decided to move my brother and him out of our house in the middle of
the night on my mothers birthday. He then proceeded to turn off our hot water and heat in the
middle of winter. This was by far the lowest I have ever felt in my life.
My mother found a job as a florist designer and has worked there ever since. Even though
it isnt an ideal job for her, she still continues to work every single day to support her and I.
Although my world flipped upside down that day my father left us, I have found my own way in
coping and dealing with my own issues. I visited a therapist growing up and have managed to get
through every problem I faced with my family issues. The therapist would do different kinds of
therapy with me using books and pictures. A couple sessions my mother would come in with me
and we would talk about issues we were having with each other or in our lives together. These
different ways of therapy helped me get through my problems. We have adapted to the life style
we live today. Although it isnt rich and fancy like it used to be, I still live a great life and
couldnt complain. Without this huge challenge I faced, I would not be the woman I am today.

Also, if not for my mother being as strong as she is I would not be where I am in life. It is all
because of her.
FAMILY STUDY
Migration Patterns
My mothers side did the geographic project from the National Geographic Magazine.
This project was to see where our family first originated from. My one Uncle had to swab his
mouth and send the swab back in to the magazine company to see where we originated from.
The migration pattern for our genetic marker began in Ethiopia, Africa. My fathers side never
exactly found out where they were first originated from.
Family Organization
In my family, both males and females played the same role. Every male and female had
to go to work each and every morning. The males and females would try to make decisions
together. If one wasnt too sure if the other would agree, they would consult with each other to
make sure that one would agree with the choice they made. Therefore, both male and females
shared the decision making. The males and females are my grandparents, my aunts, my uncles,
and my mother. I didnt speak to my father growing up, therefore he had no say in any decisions
my mother made concerning me.
Child Rearing Practices
My parents would always try to scare my brother and me by telling us that we would get
the paddle, if we misbehaved. This is because they would receive the paddle in school and at
home if my parents didnt behave. Although they never hit us with a paddle, they would still

spank us pretty hard if we were out of line. They did this to get our attention. If we did
something that was extremely bad, he or she would ground my brother and I. Our grounding
FAMILY STUDY
would never last for over a week. We would be grounded from seeing our friends and using our
computer, cell phone, or T.V.
Religious Beliefs
Both of my Grandmothers and Grandfather were and still are very religious people. I was
raised to follow the Catholic Religion. My Grandparents growing up, never missed a Sunday
mass. It was a must do thing every week. My parents sent both my brother and I to private
schools growing up. My brother attended St. Clement and then went to Notre Dame High
School. I attended St. Clement until I was in eighth grade. St. Clement High School then closed
that same year, so I attended a Public School. I still practice the Catholic Religion. I also plan on
raising my children Catholic since it has been passed down generation to generation.
Approach to Eating
Since I was mainly raised by my mother, I would always be introduced to the Polish
food. I never liked any Polish food, with that being said I hardly like any kind of food. I am the
worlds pickiest eater. Therefore I never cared about the different foods that were made for
family get together. Although, I have been told that my Grandmother makes the best porgies. She
has a recipe that has been passed down from my Great Grandmother who was born in Poland.
On my fathers side, my Grandma was famous for making sauerkraut and German
Sausage. Personally have never tried either of them. The family says that it is the best German

food ever! My grandma now always makes sure that we have the best desserts at family parties.
She always has the best cookies, cake, and different puddings to choose from.
FAMILY STUDY
Secrets
My family and I hold three very close secrets to ourselves. These three secrets arent
talked about much anymore. The first secret dealt with alcoholism. There were multiple people
in my family who had to deal with this. The second secret that we hold very close to us is drug
abuse. We only have one family member who has suffered with using. She is now clean and is
doing wonderful. The last secret deals with different relationship incidents. The main family
incident is with my parents and their divorce. This divorce was not like any normal divorce.
There was issues that dealt with domestic abuse when it came to my parents. My brother and I
saw some things that no child should ever see. All of these different secrets in my family made
each and every one of my family members very strong. I believe that we can deal with anything
now that life throws at us.
Rituals
Holidays are the most important thing to my family. Christmas is everyones favorite in
my family. We always get together on Christmas Day with my entire family. We eat tons of food
and sit around and talk with each other. The week before Christmas we get together to make
Christmas cookies. Its an awesome time spending quality time with the people you love the
most. My family always makes sure we get together for everyones birthdays in the family. We
usually go out to dinner or to someones house to celebrate. No matter how old the person is, we
celebrate big!

I hardly go to see my fathers side for any Holiday now because I am so close to my
mothers side. Growing up, our family ritual for Easter was my favorite. My Grandmother would
FAMILY STUDY
go around the house and hide eggs for my cousins and I to find. Inside the eggs were either
money or candy. She would always hide one special gold egg. Whoever found it first, would
bring it to her and she would give the winner $100.00. I was never lucky enough to find this egg.
Attitudes toward Illness and Death
I have lost both of my Grandfathers. My grandpa on my mothers side passed away when
I was only six months old. Therefore, I dont remember how my family reacted to this situation.
They still talk about him to this day and it still bothers many of my family members. My grandpa
on my fathers side passed away when I was about ten years old. This affected me significantly. I
was extremely close to him and I still miss him very much to this day. Losing a family member is
never easy for anyone in my family. I am very lucky to still have every single family member
besides my two grandfathers.
Even though we havent had many deaths, my family has suffered different illnesses. My
Grandmother on my mothers side has survived breast cancer twice and she also survived polio.
The last time that my Grandmother fought breast cancer was at age 84, which was last year. She
is truly my hero and the strongest woman I know. My family was a huge support to her. We all
take turns taking her to all of her different doctor appointments she has every week.
Help Seeking Behavior

Some of my family has needed help and they have done so by seeking out for help. I
personally had to seek out help when my parents got divorced. I had to go see a therapist when
all of this occurred. It was a very hard time for me in my life. My cousin, who was addicted to
FAMILY STUDY
heroin, also was able to seek out help. She went to rehab and is a recovering addict. Her rehab
saved her life.
Attitudes toward Other Cultures
I come from a very prejudice and judgmental family. It is something that is very hard for
me to admit because I am not prejudice or judgmental. Growing up I learned different stuff from
my family and just went along with it and agreed because I didnt know any better. Now, since I
am old enough, I can make my decisions and believe what I want. I am also just like one of my
uncles and my Grandmother, who both arent judgmental at all and get along with everyone. My
family is also very deviant. If they dont think something is normal or someone isnt normal,
they may judge. If something isnt normal in todays world, they think differently and begin to
judge. This really bothers me at times, because I hate when my family judges people. They are
not perfect themselves either. Everyone is different and has different beliefs in the world.
Family and Gender Roles
On both my mother and fathers side, the male and female roles are very similar. All of the
males and females both work and bring in income. The male role usually pays majority of the
bills, but the females still do help. This has been the same way for the past three generations. My
mother was the only one out of the whole family who didnt work her whole life because when

she was with my father she was lucky enough and didnt have to work. Since they are divorced
she is now working full time and supporting her and me.

FAMILY STUDY
Cultural Identity as a Social Worker
My cultural identity will help me when I am a social worker. I grew up living a tough life.
Dealing with a divorce, an addict in the family, and being a victim of domestic violence will help
me especially when working with people who are going through the same thing I did. Knowing
what it actually feels like to be in the place they are in their lives may make it easier to connect
with the client. I will also enjoy working with different cultures. Knowing that I came from a
judgmental family makes me want to help people from different cultures even more. I wish
everyone was accepting to one another and not so racist in our country. My mother has also
influenced me a lot, I am the person I am today because of her.
Values and a Social Worker
My cultural identity has influenced me as a social worker when it comes to my values.
Since I dont agree with much my family says, I have become my own person with my own
opinions. The two values that have been greatly influenced are dignity and worth of a person and
social justice. Dignity and worth of a person has been influenced because I will be very caring
about the client especially if they are from another ethnicity. I will also be very respectful of the
client. Social justice is a very important value to me to. I believe that every person should be
treated equally no matter the circumstance. There also should never be any discrimination when
it comes to any different ethnicity that isnt your own.

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Culture Comprises
Since I am both Polish and German, there really arent any cultural compromises.
German and Polish are very close to each other when it comes to the culture itself. Some German
FAMILY STUDY
and Polish food are the same. The people also have some of the same customs. There is nothing
but mutual respect for both cultures.
Coping and Adaption
Since I have dealt with many different issues in my life. I have learned to deal with my
problems and cope. The situations in my life that have occurred made me cope in different ways.
My parents divorce, I had to seek out help and get a therapist. She helped me understand my
parents divorce more because I was so young. My mother and I had to adapt into our life style
that we live today. When I was a victim of domestic abuse, I had to cope with the situation on my
own. It was a hard thing and I would beat myself up every day over it. As time went on, I learned
to get over the situation. Having an addict in the family made me understand what addicts truly
go through. With all of these situations, they have taken a huge toll on my life, but they also
made me a stronger person. The situations have made me who I am today.
Conclusion
This paper helped me understand my Cultural identity. I have really been able to look in
depth and see my whole background. It was helpful to analyze my whole life and see where I
came from. I believe that I am more involved in the Polish culture then I am the German culture.

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Everyone lives such different lives and lifestyles. You never really know what someone has gone
through or what they are going through. Therefore, you should never judge a book by its cover.

FAMILY STUDY
References
Curtis,G (1994). Poland a county study. Washington, DC. Library of Congress.
Piszek,E. (1971). Poland. Orchard Lake, MI. Center for Polish Study and Culture.
Yue,M(2000). On Not Looking German: Ethnicity, Diaspora, and Politics of Vison, 186.
Retrieved from http://ecs.sagepub.com.proxy.lib.wayne.edu/content/3/2/173.short.

Attachments
genogram.pdf
picture.pdf
picture 2.pdf
picture 3.pdf
picture 4.pdf