Heritage Assessment Essay

Heritage Assessment

Click http://wps.prenhall./wps/media/objects/663/679611/box_6_1.pdf order access "Heritage Assessment Tool." Assess Heritage Assessment Tool answering questions. In 1,000-1,500 words discuss usefulness applying a heritage assessment evaluating person, summarize learned Heritage Assessment Tool.

Heritage assessment tool

The heritage assessment tool acknowledges the different degrees of impact an individual's ethnic heritage may have upon his or her worldview. For some individuals who are very emotionally connected to their family and extended family, their sense of self is defined by their religion, customs and beliefs as they relate to a larger tradition. For example, someone who is Hispanic-American may spend a great deal of time not only with his or her nuclear family, but also with an extended network of cousins, grandparents, and even friends of the family. Even if not particularly religious, the rituals of the Catholic Church might provide a source of joy during traditional holidays and a source of comfort during times of stress. Foods, songs, and folklore are transmitted through institutional and familial channels. Speaking the language of one's ancestors and having a wide circle of friends of similar ethnic heritage reinforces these traditional values.

However, in my case, I do not identify strongly with a specific community. I am close to my friends and immediate family but both groups are far too diverse to be characterized by a single label. My family is not particularly religious and we do not go to church regularly. Also, my spirituality is not connected to my sense of ethnic heritage, as it is, for example, for some of my non-religious Jewish friends who still observe the holidays because they consider themselves culturally Jewish. I do not consider myself 'culturally Christian.' Although my family celebrates Christmas and Easter, it is in a very secular way. The menu is traditional (turkey, stuffing, gravy) with no 'special' foods and there is no second language other than English which dominates in the household. Many of my friends are of different ethnicities, races, and religions and I enjoy visiting their homes and participating in their traditions.Sometimes I regret not having a stronger sense of faith and place. On the other hand, I feel this gives me a very open-minded and flexible attitude towards life. I can pick and choose what items resonate with me from the different cultures to which I am exposed.

Three families: Health maintenance, health protection, health restoration

I would describe the attitude of my own family regarding health maintenance, health protection, and health restoration as relatively conventional. As a child, I received the standard vaccinations and went to the doctor regularly. Both of my parents go for regular check-ups and health screenings, as recommended for their ages. I was told to get enough sleep, to eat my vegetables, and not to eat too many sweets. I was told not to watch too much TV because it would ruin my eyes and my brain. If I had a cold, I was instructed to cover my mouth and nose when I sneezed, not to spread germs. My parents are fairly uncritical about the advice doctors give them and when sick they usually use some form of modern medicine (antibiotics or over-the-counter cold medication). If they do use non-traditional medicine, it tends to be relatively standard as well, such as chicken soup for a stuffy nose.

A friend of mine is Chinese-American, and while his parents were born in this country and are largely assimilated, his grandparents observe some health-related practices that I have never seen outside of a Chinese context. For example, his grandmother practices 'cupping,' or putting cups on the skin to relieve congestion. His parents also mentioned how they were afraid of saying they were sick when they were growing up because the grandparents would always brew some foul-smelling tea as a remedy. Although my friend's parents consider….....