Culture and Class

The videos that we viewed in preparation for this weeks discussion on class and culture were very interesting. I feel like the society in which we live really influences how we perceive others, their social class, and their culture. Because we have all been socialized in different ways, it has become easy for us to look at others and judge them based off of what we feel is right and wrong, good and bad. I guess in the past I had never really taken the time to consider how this affects others; how the views of right and wrong can lead others to judge or be judged. It makes me wonder if things would be different if there was no judgement and if people just lived life how they were used to.

We watched a video about a woman, Tammy, who struggles to make ends meet. Her boys are embarrassed by how she dresses, and the home environment that they're living in. Tammy struggles to be happy because she wants to provide the best for her children, but can't meet the standards of those around her. How would life be different for Tammy if others believed in her and if she were able to live up to her full potential?

Something else that I found interesting in this week's discussion was today as we talked about the affects of immigration on families. On my mission I had the opportunity to serve around many people from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Cuba, etc. I saw the affects it had on their families. Often times I would work with men who came here to provide a better life for their families. But where are their families? They're still living in their home country. They didn't realize until they arrived here that it would still be hard to provide physically for their families, but that it was even harder to provide for them emotionally. It definitely changes the dynamics of the family and puts a strain on relationships.

Families are special, and the family unit is important. The love that we feel within our families, as well as the joy of unity and connection cannot be replaced. It's not something that can be bought with a price. "The family is central to the creator's plan for the eternal destiny of his children."