Cultural Reframing Exercise

Rephrase the statements in column 1. After completion, consider the examples below.

1. They spend money foolishly.	_
2. They look down on women.	_
3. They are lazy.	_
4. They don't try hard.	_
5. They are punitive with their children.	_
6. They have too many kids.	_
7. They don't plan ahead.	_
8. They are always looking to others to solve their problems.	_
9. They don't get involved with their children's schools.	_
10. They don't do enough to turn their lives around.	_
11. They are never on time.	_
12. They are unreasonable.	_

From: Flynn, N., Thorp, E., Evans, K. W., & Takemoto, C. (June, 1998). Multicultural Early Childhood Team Training Leadership Institute for Parent/Professional Teams Manual (p. P1.9). Fairfax, VA: George Mason University & the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center.

Cultural Reframing Exercise

1. They spend money foolishly. 1. Enjoyment is important.

2. They look down on women. 2. Cultural traditions are followed with respect to women.

3. They are lazy. 3. Life is more than work.

4. They don't try hard. 4. It is not important to be competitive.

5. They are punitive with their children. 5. Teaching children to behave appropriately is a parent's responsibility.

6. They have too many kids. 6. Family is what gives life meaning.

7. They don't plan ahead. 7. It is important to be spontaneous and creative.

8. They are always looking to others to solve their problems. 8. Guidance is needed to find appropriate services.

9. They don't get involved with their children's schools. 9. A parent has many demands on his/her time and often chooses to focus on the home.

10. They don't do enough to turn their lives around. 10. Life's ups and downs are accepted.

11. They are never on time. 11. Punctuality is not important.

12. They are unreasonable. 12. Some are very passionate about certain issues.

From: Flynn, N., Thorp, E., Evans, K. W., & Takemoto, C. (June, 1998). Multicultural Early Childhood Team Training Leadership Institute for Parent/Professional Teams Manual (p. T1.9). Fairfax, VA: George Mason University & the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center.

1. They spend money foolishly.	1. Enjoyment is important.
2. They look down on women.	2. Cultural traditions are followed with respect to women.
3. They are lazy.	3. Life is more than work.
4. They don't try hard.	4. It is not important to be competitive.
5. They are punitive with their children.	5. Teaching children to behave appropriately is a parent's responsibility.
6. They have too many kids.	6. Family is what gives life meaning.
7. They don't plan ahead.	7. It is important to be spontaneous and creative.
8. They are always looking to others to solve their problems.	8. Guidance is needed to find appropriate services.
9. They don't get involved with their children's schools.	9. A parent has many demands on his/her time and often chooses to focus on the home.
10. They don't do enough to turn their lives around.	10. Life's ups and downs are accepted.
11. They are never on time.	11. Punctuality is not important.
12. They are unreasonable.	12. Some are very passionate about certain issues.