Saturday, January 2, 2010

First Family



Greetings! As you can see the picture above is part of an advertisement from a magazine. Take a quick glance at the photo, and quickly jot at least three comments that come to mind. Don’t linger over the picture too long. We’ll have time for that later in the course.

Tom

54 comments:

  1. It seems like a very close nit family. It also seems as though they are held together by the oldest ones in the front, kind of like my family. if my grandparents weren't alive i doubt that my family would be as close because no one is there to pretty much force them all to sit in one room together for the holidays. There also seems to be a very wide diversity of people, with an inter-racial marriage and a same sex marriage.
    cheyenne

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  2. THIS TO ME SEEMS TO BE A VERY CULTURAL PICTURE. THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE FROM BABIES TO ELDERS FROM DIFFERENT RACES AND ETHIC GROUPS COMING TOGETHER AS ONE. EVEN THOUGH IT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE A COMMON EVERYDAY THING IT IS LIKE THAT EVERYWHERE AND ALL THE TIME.

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  3. They are a very large family of multiple generations. They all seem happy to be with one another and appear helping to each other. Also, there are of many races symbolizes intercultural relationship representing the diversity present.

    -Kerri

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  4. It seems to be a gathering like a family reunion or a neighborhood get together. Maybe something like a special event is taking place and alot of people have shown up to support the cause. It also shows varied age groups so it could be trying to say that human kind is one as a whole. Last thing, different races are present so there is no outer group to whatever they may be celebrating.

    -Ashley Horne

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  5. At first glance the photo looked like a large family portrait, but over the next few seconds I noticed the difference in the many families in the photo. The photo represents the diversity of a community and that there are no limits to the different people, races, and same sex couples who are all around you. I believe shows that if you are open minded, you may find friendships and family in people you didn't consider before.

    -Ashley L

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  6. Kamilla McNac

    My immediate thought went to the memories of my family. Watching everyone grow older and babies born is the best part of being a family.Then it says to stick around it gets better,I don't want to be around when that happens!

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  7. It looks like a tradtional American family. With multiple generations being represented,and diverse backgrounds.Portraying the great American melting pot. Everyone looks like they are dressed for some family occasion, the photo shows a connection between them all from the oldest to the youngest representing all the phases of life. Colleen

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  8. AT FIRST GLANCE IT LOOKED LIKE A FAMILY PORTRAIT BUT THEN I REALIZED THE DIVERSITY IN THE PICTURE. FROM SAME SEX RELATIONSHIPS, TO INTERRACIAL AND FROM DIFFERENT RACES REPRESENTED. THIS PHOTO REPRESENTS TO ME HOW DIFFERENT OUR SOCIETY IS BUT YET WE FIND A WAY TO ALL COME TOGETHER AND RELATE TO EACH OTHER!!

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  9. This is a big family. There are a lot of different generations represented in the picture. It looks like a family that gets along great and a family that has many different cultures represented.

    Megan P.

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  10. At first glance it looks like a big family like mine, but after looking for a few seconds I realized there is a same sex couple, different generations, and different races.To me this photo shows us how overtime you see more same sex couples, more interracial couples and how society is much different than it used to be.

    -Steven Vondersmith

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  11. At first I just see a family nothing really to special about it. Then at a second glance I see same sex couple with a child, an interracial family, grandparents with a child ( child has no parents), a family with a special needs child, a family with a "rebellious" teen. On that same glance I see the name which you gave this "First Family" and this picture holds a lot of controversial things that cause a riff in American's today.

    Brad Henderson

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  12. At my first glance at the picture I see a tradional big family. But when I looked back I saw several different things. I saw a same sex couple, interacial couple. This family looks like it is filled with diversity but they seem to be a very close family. I think it shows how our society has changed over the years and things like same sex couples adopting children or interacial couples getting married are acceptable in todays society. All in all it looks like a very BIG loving family.

    Victoria Blair

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  13. At first glance this family seems to be very proud of who they are. For someone to marry into this family the whole family will have to approve. I think that this family can trace there bloodlines back hundreds of years. You cannot really understand the dynamics of this family by just glancing at the picture, however. If you look closely I'm sure other things will become apparent.

    Rashida Matthias

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  14. At first glance, the photo appears to portray a large family at a gathering- nothing out of the ordinary. A closer look clearly reveals several different relational concepts. I think the photo depicts generational acceptance of non-traditional family dynamics. Whether you approve, tolerate, or denounce some of the lifestyles seen here, I hope love, support, and compassion drive your interactions with your own families, as well as with all others around you.

    Keith Hendershot

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  15. This family looks very happy to me. Being a large family, they look like they get along great regardless of the race or gender. This family must be an open minded group. I can see then getting together every Sunday at grandma's house for dinner.

    Natalie W

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  16. Many people talk about how the family looks very loving and close-nit. When I examined the photo, the three things that first came to mind were mulit-cultural, multi-generational, and conservative. The fact that there were a black man and an asian woman standing in the photo stood out to me because most of the family is caucasian. Also, there are young ones, as small as babies, but there are also older ones. The majority of the family is dressed and presents themselves conservatively, except for the one guy with multi-colored hair. Around all of this I see content, but not necessarialy happy faces. I see struggles and even discontentedness in some of their eyes. This family looks as if they've been through a lot. Many people live straight forward lives, and expect everybody else to go along with the crowd just like they do. However, everyone has free will to make the choices they want to make in life, and at times family members find it hard to support a different decision/lifestyle. These pressures affect every family, and I definately see these stresses in the faces of this family. What is nice to see though is that this family seems to have been made stronger through these struggles. They stand side by side, united by love in support of each other dispite their differences.

    Candice Ammons/online

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  17. It looks like a family gathering is taking place in this photo. People of every age, social class, and gender are present and accepted within this particular family gathering. Some people are liberal with their dress, while others are on the more conservative side.

    ~Ashton Showalter

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  18. The title made me think I would be looking at a family picture. Upon further inspection, the diversity of groups within the photo became apparent. I like the artsy way the picture uses a very traditional setting, such as the porch lanterns and the formal clothing, to contrast with the modern, and some would say non-traditional, pairings of different cultural groups. I imagine this to be a company or social group getting together for some special occasion. Thought provoking and attention getting, this is quite the creative ad! The ad reminds us that America is truly a diverse and progressive mix of cultures, people, and attitudes. The same sex couple, holding their baby, standing alongside a pair of grandparents holding their grandbaby is quite touching. On the surface, the two pairs might have seemed quite different from each other but in this setting, we see only the similarity. Both sets of people are beaming with joy, highlighting the feelings and emotions shared by all of us yet not visible upon first glance.

    Suzie C. Online

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  19. In reply to the comments by Steven Vondersmith: I agree with you, Steven, that the picture highlights the fact that society has definitely changed over the past years and is quite different than when I was a kid. Growing up in Atlanta, I have seen how the city has become much more diverse and culturally rich over the past twenty years.

    Suzie C.Online

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  20. In response to Brad Henderson when I look closely I too see a same sex couple and an interracial couple. I don't think that sixty years ago many people's family structure would consist of what this picture shows. If it did they would not take that kind of family picture. They would try to hide something like that because it was considered taboo. Thankfully, those views are changeing, although slowly.

    Rashida Matthias online

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  21. They are a very large family of multiple generations. They all seem happy to be with one another and appear helping to each other. Also, there are of many races symbolizes intercultural relationship representing the diversity present.

    -Kerri Bertram/online

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  22. In reply to Rashida Matthias: I have to disagree with the fact that you say that for someone to marry into this family the whole family must approve. In any family, there is going to be dispute over something. There is rarely a chance that everyone will be happy with every decision that a member of the family makes. The chances of this happening grow even smaller when the size of the family are as large as this one. Could you maybe elaborate more on why you feel that way about marriage for this family?

    -Kerri Bertram/online

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  23. To me the family seems to be very "uppercrust" and proper at first glance but as you look longer you see that it is very culturally diverse. They look to be very accepting of one another and their bodylanguage is very nurturing.
    Amber G._online

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  24. in response to Ashley Horne...
    With all due respect everyone is entitled to their opinions but I find it to be a bit narrowminded to state that they must be having a "neighborhood gathering" just because you see and interracial couple, varying age groups, and a homosexual couple. This is the year 2010 not 1950. Nowadays it's uncommon to see a family with at least three or four generations present where an interracial and/ or homosexual couple is not present as well as accepted and welcomed into the family. Family is family regardless, you don;t all have to look the same way to be a part of one. But like I said in the beginning, everyone is entitled to his/ her own opinions.
    Amber G._online

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  25. I immediately noticed the diversity in the picture. Not only are there several different races, there is what looks like a gay couple with a child. Also, I noticed that there were several generations in the family included in the picture. They look like they are probably middle class since the house is nice, but not overly so. In reading the line printed on the picture, “Stick around. Things get interesting” it strikes me that this may be some type of article about families being accepting and dealing with things as they come without judgment which is a good message since we live in a society with so much discrimination and you hear about families disowning members for being with someone they don’t approve of. Maybe this was in a family magazine or a Christian magazine to promote family and acceptance. I haven’t seen anything like it in mainstream magazines.

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  26. Jacqueline Williams (online)January 10, 2010 at 12:08 PM

    In response to Susie C.: I hadn't thought of the fact that this could be a social gathering or a company gathering instead of a single family. Very insightful. I agree with all of your thoughts on diversity and the thoughts and feelings to that in our society. Excellent post.

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  27. Cassie Samples(online)January 10, 2010 at 12:28 PM

    When I first look at the picture, I notice that the family is interracial. There are two men holding a baby which would suggest that they are homosexual. And they all look happy. There are many generations present in the picture. It shows the way society is nowadays, with regards to marriage and culturally diverse families. A long time ago, these ideas were frowned upon. In today’s society, more and more people are coming to reality about these kinds of families because they are becoming more and more common. I believe when it comes to families, people should be accepted for who they are, not their skin color or sexual preference.

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  28. Cassie Samples(online)January 10, 2010 at 12:37 PM

    In response to Cheyenne: I agree with her comment because if it wasn't for the elders in a lot of families, no one would gather together as one. There would be nothing holding families together. No one knows how much time our grandparents really have left in this world, so we should try and cherish every moment of it.

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  29. Dana C. - Online

    Looking at this picture, I first looked at the diversity of its members. Although, this picture does not dipict what most would consider a "Traditional American Family". It does definately fall within the rims of the definition of family. "Two or more individuals that come together for the purpose of nurturing". I did not see any single parents in this picture but several different nuclear families that resulted in an extended family.
    Symbolic Interactionism definately would have to play a roll in this family. This family consists of brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, cousins, husbands, wifes, mothers, fathers, life partners, aunts, uncles, grandmothers, grandfathers, and a great-grandmother. Undoubtly, these titles change according to which member of the family you are talking to at the time. For example, an uncle could also be a father, brother or a son to another member. When his title changes his roll in the family changes and so does his duties. In return, the respect and treatment given to him from different family members would vary. This picture also depicts the great-grandmother as the matriarch of the family, by the location she is seated.

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  30. This is a pretty interesting picture. It has a lot going on. The first thing that comes to mind is how non-traditional it truly is. There are so many different types of relationships in this family. From the elderly couples to the same sex couple, there are a variety of complex relationships. It is also multi-cultural. There are people of different races and backgrounds. This picture opens our eyes to the Globalization that is occurring in our society. "Globalization is destined to broaden our horizons" (Henslin 31). Advances are being made so that we can break down the boundaries that have held our society back for so long. The American family is constantly evolving into something new and different. This is what makes the the world so interesting. I think the picture of this family shows a new era and I can't wait to see how our society evolves during my lifetime. On a diffent note,I'm not really sure what the caption is referring to. It doesn't tie in well with the picture.

    Erika Bryant (online)

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  31. In response to Keith Hendershot I very much agree with what you wrote and how you worded it. I couldn't have said it better myself. This family looks like a big loving family accepting of all different types of couples. This picture reminds me of my own family and how accepting and loving we are of each other and our friends regardless of their race, religion, and whom they choose to have as a partner in life.

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  32. In response to Natalie W.: I also view this family as being open-minded. One would think that with as many different types of relationships that this family seems to have, you would have to be accepting of different races, backgrounds, sexuality and so on. I think it would be harder for some of the older generations to accept this due to the way they were raised and how these types of relationships were viewed when they were growing up. It was much more conservative. Overall, I think this family does seem to be happy too.

    Erika Bryant (online)

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  33. Dana C - Online

    In responce to Keith Hendershot, you could be very right about the family being very happy and supportive of each other. In contrast, I just don't think that a picture really can show how peolpe honestly feel. This picture probably was taken at a special family function. I would guess the Greatgrandmother's birthday. So everybody probably are putting on a happy face and at their best behavior.

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  34. Antoryeal Nunley "ONLINE"......In response to Ashley L..... I have to agree with your post. When I first looked at the picture I wrote down large family,unity and different generations. Then once I really looked at the picture. I saw the many family represented. Which says that you can have all different types of family that expresses love, kindness, and unity. Something I think is really missing in todays society. Also, if we as indivuals would be more open minded we would see that family can come in the young, old, heterosexual, homosexual, black, white, asians, and different cultures. And still represent that love and unity. As everyone took their place in the photo it seems that they have given honor to the older generation by placing them in the front. I think that this is the generation that grandparents created and this is just one big happy family that says you can find love in different people. And that regardless of the indiviual prefrence acceptance is always good when it coming from family and friends.


    ANTORYEAL NUNLEY"ONLINE"

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  35. When I first see this picture it looks like a typical white family. After a closer look you can see it also is composed of other ethnicities as well. It also show the grandmother, who would be the elder sitting at the front with a baby, who is probable the youngest. This probably means that the elder of the family is the most respected.

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  36. At first glance it looks like a rather large family that is diverse and accepting of everyone. It seems like it shows how times have changed in personal and family life by showing different ethnicities being married. Since everyone is close and holding their loved ones makes it seem like the family is loving and supportive of each other. Also it seems like the family has a good history and know where they came from and who they are.
    -Tyler Stevens

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  37. The worlds already over populated, stop having babies!
    Why does every family feel the need to take the picture at the front steps. Get original.
    Props on the diversity.

    Nick H.

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  38. thought it was a gathering of friends taking a photo...i then realized it was a family, and assumed they were a emotionally strong family with all the controversial aspects in society being present in the photo such as same sex marriage,and interracial relationships...finally i felt that it was a time of change in the world from the once forbidden acts of such to become the norm.

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  39. Tiffany j.."online"..I think this picture is perfect for sociology. There is a large group of people ranging from elders to babies. There is also several different cultures in the picture as well as interracial marriage and a same sex marriage. Sociology is the study of society. Society is made up of all different types of people and cultures. For each culture society is going to be different simply because the standards or ways of life are different. If you look at a picture from the 1800s and compare it to this one they are vastly different. In the 1800s the men were the head of the household and seemed to be more important than the women and children. the family was not in equal standings like you see more today. In the picture above everyone seems to be in equal standing there is no one that seems to be dominating the others. There is interracial and same sex marriage in the picture which just shows that the "normal" in society is so different now than in the 1800's. This picture really captures the diversity of society today.

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  40. in response to nick h....i dont agree with people having so many kids that they can't take care of but i wouldn't go as far to say stop having babies...

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  41. When I first look at this picture I notice the family’s diversity consists of straight couples, gay couple, singles, a range of generations and cultures. It also looks like some of the family is fine with the changes of time, but then I noticed the woman on the right side of the image, she seems to have a look of non acceptance or even anger. All in all the family appears to be fine with the diversity in the family and accepting of the changes in today’s world.
    -Jasmine

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  42. When I first glanced at the picture I assumed by the amount of people that its possible that it might be a family reunion. It also looked like there could be different generations of family present at this gathering. They seem very diverse and appears to be a very happy family.

    Craig Z.

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  43. In regaurds to Steven Vodersmith's blog comment:

    I do agree that it portrays more acceptance of change in culture and lifstyle. A same-sex couple would have most likely not been shown in this advertisment years ago. I love how it shows the same-sex couple holding a baby, and this shows more acceptance in same-sex couples adopting children.
    ~Ashton Showalter (ONLINE STUDENT)

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  44. When i clicked on the picture,scrolled down and read the bottom of the picture where it said "stick around things will get interesting." Judging on the number of people and comfortability of everyone I think this is a picture of a family reunion or maybe the families are strangers.Regardless I believe they are all happy and content.I believe this picture portrays the diversity of families that have evolved over generations, as well as acceptance and love within each relationship.

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  45. When I first saw the picture it seemed like alot of generations in one family.It's a big family and they seem very close to one another. The seem to be all about the family instead of the individual.
    -Radwa Hassan

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  46. Keith Story T/TH Class

    After a "quick glance" at this advertisement, I find it to somewhat crude and suggestive. What other students failed to do was fully analyze the ad (taking into account the specifications of the assignment's quick glance); they did not expand the image before undergoing their blog posts. I agree with the "culturally, racially, and age" heterogeniality of the picture; however, I feel that even though the family seems to be in acceptance of their multi-racial, multi-cultural "barriers" social dissonance would still present itself as an ever-present wedge. Human nature is difficult to overcome as common and conflicting interests "nearly always" present a bias. To suggest that this family is cordial as a constant is like slapping psychology in the face; a hasty generalizion based on psuedo-intellectual nature is a non-difinitive and somewhat contradictory like the coupling of "nearly" and "always."
    In regard to Nick H's post: I agree with overpopulation as a problem as roughly 250,000 infants are born on a daily basis (net gain); however, "ceteris paribus" my friend. "All other factors are held constant" in that this fact does not accurately explain the article's intent and the analysis of its cliche nature is derived from a completely different tangent.
    In regard to Dana C's post: I feel that Dana is the closest in accuracy in defining diversity and possible lineage.
    In conclusion, after expanding the image and having my "quick glance" I find it to be medically suggestive with underlying bias in accordance with human nature. The article itself is a papsmear advertisement encouraging women to prolong their lives in order to to see their families unfold. I feel that the statement "stick around...things get interesting" is crudely suggestive when coupled with such a heterogeneous ideal that the family portrait envokes. The article gives off a "reality television vibe" that thwarts the often conservative views of older generations(which is who this article is mostly guaged towars) altogether and -in my mind- makes a mockery of diversity by suggesting possible problematic relations based on human nature. -The ignorance that is bigoty and bias can only be overcome through an "open mind" coupled with rational, "scientific" approach-
    To my fellow classmates: My intent is accuracy through rational analysis. I am not targeting your intellect nor am I attacking you as people. The sole purpose of my argument was to shed new light on the article in a stature that is in accordance to a civilized debate/argument. If I have offended anyone I apologize for the misconception. -Keith-

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  47. very close knit family... like mine... there seems to be more older ppl than young.... and seems that the older people are the rocks of the family. if it wasnt for my grandparents i dont know what i would do.

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  48. when i first looked at the picture it looked like a normal family, but a closer glance showed me alot of things that are taboo to my family, my up bringing, and my values. They seem happy, so im happy for them, but it aint my cup of tea. It is amazing that 60 years ago this picture would disgust people, and know people say "awe what a big and beautiful family." Like i said what ever floats peoples boats but not my beliefs and values.

    Stephanie Smithwick

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  49. when i first glanced at the picture it looked normal. then, i began to notice:
    1. Homosexual marriage
    2. Inter-racial marriage
    3. Elderly with baby's!

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  50. When I just glanced at this picture I thought it was just an ordinary family of many generations at a nice family reunion. I kept looking at the picture and saw the elder couple with a baby and thought, "What helpful loving grandparents!" Then I kept looking and and noticed the inner-racial couples and the homosexual couple with the baby. Then, it dawned on me. This isn't what most would consider a normal family, but these days it's becoming more of the norm more and more. Each day family's are becoming more diverse in not very normal areas weather we like it or not. But the way I look at is, you don't get to pick your family, you just do the best with what you're given.

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  51. I did this one to but I did not sign it so I am redoing it.

    When I looked at this big picture it seemed to be just a close family or a reunion. As I looked again it is a very diverse culturaly. It is very close knit and that is exactly how my family is. It is mixed races and ages. I love this photo graph because it shows that it brings people together no matter what.
    brittany hasty

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  52. Araceli Tran (Online)February 9, 2010 at 8:42 PM

    Araceli Tran (Online)
    At first this picture reminds me of the portrait of us hanging on a wall at my grandparents house. Being half Mexican and half Vietnamese is only the beginning of the long list of difference among my family and I. The only thing traditional about this picture is the fact that it is a family portrait everything else is nontraditional. Much of the picture is full of differences from skin color to age. It seems like a very close family, a well-rounded family, as well as an accepting family. They accept same sex marriages, adoption, and interracial relationships. They’re the epitome of what love represents or what it should represent. Especially with the older generation it must be difficult to accept this new definition of family since in earlier years they were taught differently.

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  53. Araceli Tran (Online)February 9, 2010 at 8:58 PM

    This picture is perfect... It demonstrates what defines a family at this present time. Not one single family is made of up solely one nationality or has only one cultural background. We have became more accepting to same sex marriage and the idea of adopting. Although many would disagree and say it goes against their beliefs and values "It Is what it is" regardless of what we think.. more and more often do we see this today.

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  54. Hannah McAlpine
    This picture reminds me of something I never had, a big family! It was always just my parents, my sister and me. Now my sister is married and had a baby seven months ago, so thankfully its growing. So, in a way I guess I would consider this family lucky, or blessed. It looks liked there are some grandparents in this picture. All four of my grandparents passed away when I was very young so I never really got the chance to know them.

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