Anthropological Interview: Grandma's Beliefs

Upon completing this interview I had a better perspective of grandma Judy. This interview allowed me to understand that for her generation marriage was encouraged at a young age in order to fulfill life and as she said not become an “old maid”. Society at that time didn’t care to hear of unmarried woman because you were of less value as you aged. Society now even encourages building family at a young age often questioning if there is something wrong, unhealthy or hidden about a person when they are not with a prospect by a certain age. I also discovered that Grandma incorporates her beliefs around the Bible. Her religion believes that interracial and same sex marriages are a sin therefore making them the improper way of living. The Bible tells her
It was great to get a prospective on my grandmother’s background but feel I struggled on getting a true idea of her culture. This conundrum could be caused from the large umbrella that culture covers and all the subgroups that are within the umbrella of culture. I found it very difficult to keep ethnocentrism out of my interview. Often wanting to say when I wasn’t agreeing with her thoughts and beliefs. While I didn’t say things when baffled I did struggle to understand the right type of response to give using “ok” or “oh”. I think experience with fieldwork would increase my awareness for correct responses. The biggest thing I found interesting was that the Bible was her reasoning for her beliefs. Nothing more than the Bible says it is so and I will follow. Difficulties with the interview was understanding the spoken language. Grandma Judy was often mumbling or speaking quietly because her views could be offensive to others. I loved the time I was given to spend with my grandma Judy. This interview allowed us to talk about things that I wouldn’t think to ask. It was a bonding moment and time well