Roger Williams
A Look at Bicultural Relationships
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5% of all marriages are bi-cultural
30 - 35% of all Asian and
Hispanic marriages are bicultural
2.4% all people multiracial
90% of Deaf children have hearing
parents
90% of Deaf adults marry other
Deaf adults
Each partner must
be aware of their
own respective
culture, the values,
attitudes, mores
and behavior
patterns that form
the background of
daily existence.
A continuing
discussion must
take place in
which the partners
must agree on an
alternative which
meets their needs
at that time.
Both partners
must be willing to
listen to the other
with an open mind
and a recognition
that cultural
differences exist.
Both partners
must be willing to
reveal elements of
their culture and
also their
relationship with
and feelings about
that culture.
Partners must be
able to
communicate
effectively with
each other.
One way adjustment:
Alternative adjustment:
•One partner adopts the cultural pattern of the other.
•At times one cultural pattern is consciously chosen, at times the other.
Simultaneous adjustment:
•Similar to an alternative adjustment, cultures are mutually respected and
couples may use both cultural patterns for certain situations.
Mid-point compromise:
•Partners mutually agree on a solution between their respective positions.
Mixing adjustment:
•A combination that represents some of both cultures is consciously
adopted.
Creative adjustment:
•Partners decide to give up their respective cultures in favor of a new
behavior pattern.
Cultural
Awareness
Yourself
Multicultural
Your
Text here
Planning
Survival
Skills
Your Family
The Community
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Learn about other culture
Know respectful behavior
Identify a cultural guide
Gain entrée into the community
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Know your own cultural background
Recognize your own stereotypes and biases
Gain knowledge of cultural history and
heritage
Be aware of other’s perceptions
Recognize effects of -ism on the
child/partner
Social Support
Language
Values
Community
Title
The Arts
Knowledge
Customs
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Identify members of the community
Develop a relationship with community
organizations
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Have regular contact with the minority
community
Have books, magazines, artwork, dolls and
toys that are like your child/partner
Make friends with adults and families that are
multiracial/multiethnic
Seeks services and contacts that will support
your child/partner
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Biracial/bicultural adoptions and marriages
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Misunderstandings
Assumptions
Social pressure
Societal reactions
Family response
NABSW position paper
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Education children about realities of _____ism
Help child/partner develop strategies to cope
with prejudice or _____ism
Help the child/partner develop a sense of
pride
Seek help from adults in the minority
community for guidance in how to cope with
____ism
Develop strategies to deal with insensitive
questions and to discourage bias
• Deaf Church
• Children use ASL
• TTY
• Cultural view of
Deafness
• Support residential
schools
• Simultaneous
Communication
• Deaf/Hearing Groups
• Integrated Church
w/Interpreters
• Children use verbalgestural with Deaf
parent
• Two Phone lines
• Voice & TTY
• Support day schools
Hearing Culture
• Deaf
Clubs/Organizations
Mixed Cultures
Deaf Culture
• American Sign
Language
• Spoken English
• Hearing
Organizations
• Hearing Church
• Children use speech
with both parents
• Voice Telephone
• Pathological view of
Deafness
• Support
mainstreamed
Schools