Family life: article
Answers to the general questions :
Grandparents :
Regarding the family of our respective grandparents, there was not much difference between them. They were mostly large families of 5 to 8 people. Women stayed at home looking after the children. Their topics of conversation were politensee, repsect and studies. Families ate meat only on Sundays because they couldn’t afford it on weekdays.
Parents :
The years passed and the families changed. Family members are reduced to 4 people usually. Women are independent. The principles have not changed but they are less strict with more free time. Our parents live in more comfort, life is less difficult.
Answers to the specific questions :
Differences vary between our parents’ generation and our generation.
The number of people in the family has decreased, as well as the role of everyone in the family. There was more hierarchy and difference between girls and boys. For example, boys had more leisure time tha girls. They did not have to do the housework though girls did.
In our parents’ generation, the woman is more independent because she works outside the house. She also cares for children.
The principles of families remain the same but are less strict, with more leisure and outings.
But the thing that has changed most between the 3 generations is the standard of living. Nowadays, people have a better living than in the past, with more comfort.
Grandparents :
Regarding the family of our respective grandparents, there was not much difference between them.
Answer to the main question / Conclusion : Has the role of the family changed ?
The role of the family hasn’t really changed. We have the same objectives, the same albitions. The role of a family is to be there for each other.
We encourage each other, we help each other. We are united. These are the values and the role of a family in Reunion island.
Comparison of our outcomes with the results of Jasudben M.L School:
We notice that our families have the same values as our Indian counterparts : honesty and empathy.
What went well?
What was difficult?
What would we do differently?
Interviews were easy to do.
We enjoyed talking to Indian students during the VC.
We had a lot of difficulties with the writing part of the project as we often didn’t have the relevant vocabulary and grammar. Hopefully, our American assistant helped us with the writing.
We were not able to do the tasks in time because of the school calendar in Reuion island.
So it was difficult to meet the deadlines.
We learnt that values have not changed very much over time and in different countries. In France and India, honesty, empathy and trust are very important values.