Sometimes I forget that I grew up (and currently reside in) a multicultural household. My dad's parents are native Filipinos while my mom's are European/American. Now that I'm older, I recognize that the two different sides of the family value separate types of intelligence.
I can't always tell if my dad's family's values are the result of the Filipino culture or are specific to the family. They place a high value on analytical intelligence. There has always been a high amount of pressure to achieve academically on that side on the family. One of my aunts is a typical "Tiger Mom." She frequently boasts about her sons' straight A's on facebook and insists that they perform on piano at every holiday gathering.
My mom's family values analytical intelligence but really prizes creative intelligence. I believe this stems from my Grandma on that side--known for her water color paintings, decorating, and cursive handwriting. My Grandad on that side is a psychiatrist. He's very analytical but also has a creative musical side. When I think of my mom's family I think of music. She and her five siblings sing together at holiday gatherings.
I'm really glad that I was exposed to the creative side of intelligence at an early age. Without it, I fear the world would be very dull.
Berger, K.S. (2008). The developing person through the life
span (7th ed.). New York:
Worth Publishers.
Interesting how you have identified that different sides of your family value certain forms of intelligence over others. I come from a culture that values practical intelligence over analytical and creative. People laugh at the dumb people with college degrees that don't know how to change a light bulb.
ReplyDeleteMy own family's values are an interesting mix. Reading well and loving to learn was very important to my parents and all of us, including my sister with dyslexia learned to read well and enjoy reading. However my parents had only an 8th grade education and didn't understand the value of higher math skills. They didn't think a high school education was necessary for their children, let alone a college education. I've been a little confused at times about my parents appreciating and discounting the value of education at the same time. This chapter helped me to understand a bit better as they value practical intelligence over analytical. My mother has a lot of natural creative talent but she personally values practical intelligence much more than creative so hasn't really developed her creative intelligence.