Tapestry of Faith: Families: A Jr. High School Youth Program that Explores the Diversity, Commonality, and Meaning of Families

Spiritual Preparation

Part of Families

Take a moment to think about what the word family means to you. While there is more exposure to diverse families in our culture than ever before, many people maintain the view that the ideal image of a family is one in which all members are of a single race and that a married man and woman are the heads of the household. Even today our culture leaves many families underrepresented in the media. We undoubtedly carry stereotypes despite all the work we may have done to the contrary. This is in part because of a lack of exposure. What kinds of families are underrepresented in your circle of friends and family: bisexual, gay, lesbian, transgender people (BGLT); singles; multiracial; older; younger; single parent; adopted; minority racial; disabled; small families; large families? How are your views of family affected by the lack of exposure? How will that affect your presentation of the material in this session?