The Twelve Dimensions of Culture

Rosemary Meza
7011034
Cultural Diversity and Human Services
Monday, February 9, 2015
Prof. Dutta, D.

Throughout this paper my purpose is to explain the twelve dimensions of

culture that applies to me. I will be breaking down the twelve dimensions and
applying them to myself and the family I grow up in. Then, I will use the diversity
wheel in my text to discuss how I hold certain privileges over other minority
groups. Finally, I will discuss how my cultural beliefs might affect or impact my
sensitivity in the helping field. Also, I aspire to end with a better awareness of the
challenges I face, and how to work through them, so I may be successful in the
helping field.
Language and communication is key for any individual on Earth. The
language my family communicated with was English. My mother is Canadian,
and my father is from South America. Even though English was the predominant
language, we also learned Spanish from my fathers parents I and became fluent
in both languages. Manners were a necessity in our household. We were
expected to say please and thank you. As well, if we were answering our
parents, we would respond with yes/no, mom/dad.
Growing up, my family life looked different from my peers as my father
travelled for work. Even though both parents worked full time, my mother did
most of the child rearing. There was a clear sense of hierarchy in my household
as my father held himself as the dominant decision maker. My mother took care
of the finances and took care of the kids. Our responsibilities as children were to
take care of basic chores such as taking out garbage, washing dishes etc. Our
home was kept private as we were not allowed to have sleepovers and friends
were only allowed to visit for short periods of time.

Some very important values that I live by are ones that I apply to raising
my children. I am a Christian and believe in going to church and living by biblical
standards. I raise my daughters to refrain from sex before marriage. Although the
standards I live by seem strict, I never impose them on others who dont agree
with the same values as myself. This allows me to be open minded when working
with people in different situations.
When my family got together in group situations, there was a lot of
drinking. I grew up in this culture, so it did not seem a big deal to me. When I was
young, my parents would let the kids have a sip or two of the alcohol. When I
was about ten, I would get drinks for myself. However I would only take one. We
would dress formal for family functions even though there was no set attire
expectation. I believe this is why I, to this day, love going to parties with friends
and family.
Music that I enjoy from when I was little was always country music but as I
have gotten older I have a wide selection of music that I enjoy listening to each
day. In Canada you have to be 19 years of age to be able to drink but in the
Spanish culture my father would allow us to have a glass of wine on special
occasions from the age of 12 and older. Most events such as New Years my
parents would always take us along with them. My parents had a lot events at the
house which we were a part of. This was our way of expressing our Arts in our
family through our music and the time we spent with the people we loved most.

I believe healing comes in many forms but one that I truly stand by is the
power of prayer. As long as I can remember this has work for me in more ways than
one. Some will go there whole life and look to doctors which I know God put in place
to help us true healing I believe comes from prayer. Even though I believe in prayer I
don't think twice about going to the doctor when I need to because they play a part in
our healing because I know God putt them there.

Growing up recreational activities that I enjoy to take part in with my

family was working out at the gym with my mom, going swimming, camping and
other outdoor activities because my family loved the outdoors. These Activities
were all the ones I did as I growing up. My parents took pleasure in going on trips
with us and we did a lot of these things as a family. I try not to put any limitations
on myself when it comes to doing these thing that I enjoy because it was
something that my parents had put in us from we were kids. Spending time
together as a family was some of my happiest times that I could remember so I
like to try a little bit of everything even now with my children so that they too can
carry on these fond memories.
A typical family meal at my house includes chicken potatoes and corn.
Sometimes my father would cook his Spanish dishes, our all-time favorite was
ceviche as they call it in Peru. Most of the time these meals were cooked when
we had family get together. My Father always drank red or white wine with his
dinner this is another clear memory I had of us at the dinner table. Probably the
biggest meal of the day would be dinner which we would eat around 6pm. On
holidays such as thanksgiving we would eat turkey or ham. We would always say
a prayer before dinner when my father was home which was not all the time
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because he traveled for work. Food is a form of celebration to a lot of Spanish

people it comes hand and hand with family and having a few drinks.
Growing up my father never allowed us to wear short skirts or anything
revealing. My sister and I were also not allowed to wear makeup when my father
was home but when he was away my mom didn't really implement his rules . My
father always said that make up was for older women to cover wrinkles only. When it
came time for church we would wear dresses and my brother would wear a shirt and
tie. We were told that how we dress shows how our parents raised us and the kind of
people they were. This made it so much easier to do as they had asked because
respect for my parents was a must in my house.

when I get into the topic of religion I dislike saying that I have a religion I
consider what I have to be a relationship so when I speak on religion and
spirituality Im talking about my relationship with Jesus Christ. My fathers family
is catholic but we were brought up in a Mennonite church but in my adult years I
am now a Christian Baptiste. My spirituality practice has a big impact on my day
to day living it shapes me as a woman and a mother teaches me love and
kindness and how to live a life according to scripture. The same way that I call
my children name out each day is the same way that I call out Jesus so I dont
not have a date or a time that I talk about god. I do my very best to raise my kids
under the same beliefs and guidelines that I stand.
I was born in Edmonton Alberta but we moved to Kitchener when I was
two years old. My dads side of the family is all from Lima. Peru but they migrated
to Canada when I was young. My mothers side is all in Alberta still but my
parents raised us in Kitchener, Ontario. My family is a mix one, two different
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cultures and beliefs brought together but somehow my parents seemed to make
it work. My mothers side of the family was not keen on my parents marriage but
in the end they did it anyways thats why I believe we moved to Kitchener. I know
that this is why having a mixed family was a blessing in my life cause I never did
go by the rules and how the world viewed things should be. Being a child that
was mixed growing up had its ups and downs when I was growing up but not so
much from the world but more so from my mothers side of the family. There was
times I can remember that my moms mom would call my dad Albert because to
her Alberto sound to Spanish and that he was in Canada now. As time went on
these things changed but only because of the distance.
As I look back I would have to say that my family social status would have
to of been middle class. We went on trips to many different places and we had a
car and both my parents worked. As I look back on that and where I stand with
my children I would have to say that my parents seem to be well off. I face a lot
more struggles with my kids but I believe that it came from the fact that I am a
single mother. We have spent most of my childrens life in subsidized housing
because I couldnt afford regular rent but I did all I could to make sure my kids
ate. I would have to say that we were lower class based on social status input but
to me just having my kids I was rich.
Almost everything that my parents had taught me as a child I passed on to
my kids. Every part of my growing up reflect who I have become as a women and
I truly treasure them so I felt strong regard to pass it on to my four children and I
hope that they will pass it on to theirs.

The five areas from the Diversity Wheel that I have given a privilege
and/or dominance over other people are religion, race, age, parental status and
geographical location.
As I have stated earlier, I am a Christian. Canada was based on Christian
beliefs and the government still largely follows the foundations set by the initial
leaders. I am in a country where I can freely practice my beliefs and am
surrounded by others who are like-minded. The values I hold are the same that
my country holds for example, no stealing, lying, killing etc.
I am both Caucasian and Spanish in decent. Canada has not one distinct
race. I was born in Canada, and can say that I am truly Canadian. I am able to
utilize all the resources my country gives me as a citizen that others who have
immigrated dont have access to. I am privileged to have free health care, access
to financial assistance, job opportunities and cheaper education.
I am 32 years old and, therefore, am strong and capable. I am old enough
that I have life experience and still young enough that I am considered desired in
most work fields. Society sees me as an asset for decision making, trends, and
keeping the work force strong. As I age I will get to a point where I will be
considered an elder, full of wisdom. Eventually, I will become a senior and will
appear less useful to society and someone who is my age will take my place.
I am a mother of four children ranging between the ages of eight and
seventeen. I am seen as an experienced parent as my children are no longer
babies. Also, because I have four children, I am considered knowledgeable and
competent. I feel my life has been enriched by my children, they are the reason I

am able to achieve my dreams. I aspire to do my best for my children so they

have a good example to live by. I hope that I can help raise up the next
generation to be competent and hard working.
I live in Canada. Canada is a first world country. Canada is large and
expansive. Canadians are known as peace keepers among nations. As well as
being an established country, we have ties to other countries that keep our
economy strong through trading services and selling goods. I am privileged that I
dont have to want for anything and everything I desire is easily accessible to me.
I am privileged by these areas because it allows me to bring myself to my
full potential and be the best I can be in this life. I have the opportunity to help
others who are less fortunate and teach people the value of all these aspects.
Some people take these aspects for granted I utilize them to my fullest ability so
that I may go on to grown and teach my kids and the people God puts in my life,
with this understanding and freedom I do feel I am very privileged.

As I reflect back on all I have written in this paper and the twelve dimensions of
culture as well as how they apply to me. I get a clearer understanding of how it
applies to my life and how it may come to effect the helping career I choose. I
then went on to the diversity wheel to see that there is a lot that can affect me in
the helping field and these areas that I need help in. Such as my beliefs being
one of them and even my values because not everyone bases them off of what
the bible says. Secondly not everyone is brought up with the same morals and
values system as I was. I need to not base what I know as the only right way to
live but I should not judge but be open more to the fact that there is all types of
belief systems out there. Some people have grown up with no parents to teach
them from right and wrong so this does not make them worthless. Maybe what I
was taught is not the right way for someone else so I need to take this in to
account. Some people will never have the experiences that I have when it comes
to growing up with a mother and father who spent time with their family but this
does not make me better than no one. I believe if I go in to this field as a helper
with this constant reminder I will always remember my blessings growing up and
that will help me to do a better work in helping others. I grow up with a wide
range of opportunities in my life but just because of this fact it still didnt stop me
from making bad choices. Life gives you a chance but what you do with it is your
choice. I have seen the good and the bad and I am thankful for both sides of the
spectrum it has taught me that anyone can overcome the worse situation if they
put the work and effort to do it.

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