Knowing our Cultural Identity

Everyone has a cultural and family identity. This influences how we see the world, how we interact with others and what we define as important. We want our children to have a confident and positive sense of self, so discussing and sharing with our children who we are and what some of the traditions and customs that we have grown up with are can encourage positive interaction and healthy self belief.

Traditions and customs to talk about:

• Family roles: who and what we expect from different members of our family.
• Spirituality: The meaning of life, where we come from and why.
• Communication: Greetings, gestures, language, accents.
• Food: Types, special occasions, taboos.
• Holidays and celebrations: Seasonal, cultural, religious/spiritual, social.
• Creative expressions: Music, dance, art.
• Stories: Fairy stories, myths and legends.
• Dress: Beauty, clothing, modesty, colours.
• Expectations: Education, aspirations.

You will probably have a few extra you can add. You can also explain to your children which values you have chosen to keep and which you have chosen to disregard and why. For more insight into this subject you may want to see our Lone Mothers of Mixed Race Children Case Study.