Prompt 2 – Ethnographic Observation

Posted: January 5th, 2023

Prompt 2 – Ethnographic Observation

An ethnographic study provides a suitable opportunity to learn and understand various aspects of society. The researcher employs direct observation of the target population in their natural setting rather than a laboratory. The primary objective of performing such a study is to acquire insight into how the subjects engage with others or things in their natural habitat or environment. It is a type of qualitative research exploring the social engagements of objects in their environment and gives in-depth awareness of the users’ perceptions and acts. The research design provides the surveyor with an awareness of how the subjects view the world and how they engage with everything around them. The report is the findings of an ethnographic study that I conducted at my home through direct observations while taking appropriate notes. The approach helps to identify the concept of gender and household life, which is an aspect that varies considerably from one household to the other. The ethnographic study reveals that other than having different perceptions, both male and female members relate with each other as similar entities and part of one family in nearly all areas, which provide a better chance to build a unified family that works as a team to address any matter.

Describing the Home

My home is twenty-minute drive to the city and is part of an extensive suburb. It is a three-bedroom house with a dining space, a spacious kitchen, a store, and an outside garage. A huge, metallic, black gate leads into the medium-sized compound full of trees. A live fence separates the house from others, and its overgrown size makes the place unique. The furniture inside the house and their arrangement makes the living room attractive and the white color on the wall makes the entire house appealing. The huge windows allow in enough light into all the rooms, and the wide rooms and corridors make it easy to move from one place to the other. The house two doors, one in the front and one at the back, and is fitted with an air conditioning system inside the parlor.

Introducing the Study 

The study begins with explaining to each member of the family the main objectives of the research, and I tell them that it is to complete a class assignment. I inform all members (my father, mother, aunt, two sisters, my nephew, and my elder brother) that the study would not disrupt their operations in any way and that they should progress with their activities as normally as they always do. I also explain the primary motive of the study to make it easier for them to provide any information that may require their attention. The study lasts one week, during which I acquire valuable data regarding gender and the household life in the family. 

Lessons from the Study 

My study reveals that members of the family share house chores and do not seem to pay much attention to the differences in their gender concerning how they help at the house. My dad, for example, may sometimes clean the compound by sweeping available litters, and disposing them at the right place. My father, regardless of being the leader of the family, sometimes clean dirty surfaces, especially those that may not take much time because of his busy work schedule. Similarly, my elder brother performs some functions at the house that some might view as being womanly. For instance, he would clean his clothes and those of other members of the house, particularly when he is free from duty. He encourages the rest of the family to be helpful and perceives his act as an example of how others should live with their relatives or close family members. Interaction with my father during one evening to inquire why he performs some tasks that many would regard as being mostly performed by women, he said that good leaders are those who act as servants. He said that his actions are meant to direct us who still have a long way to go, and may have to act in similar ways in future to establish a united family where people share duties and relate to each other without considering their gender differences. My elder brother shares the same views because interaction with him the next day informed that he pays considerable attention to building a view that gender should not make people different and should not deter them from offering assistance at home. Furthermore, my family does not perceive women in the same way as the Trobriand people where women are perceived “as the neglected half of the society” because of the insignificant economic activities they play, especially during the death of a person where they exchange banana leaves and banana fiber sticks (Weiner 5). The respect for all genders is key in promoting proper relations in my home.

Similarly, the female members of the family do not appear to disregard some functions that many would perceive to be the obligation of men. For example, my mother sometimes trims the fence, and my sisters clean the garage and arrange things in order. Nevertheless, it is still common to witness a scenario where female members of the family mostly perform duties such as cleaning and cooking, but there are no restrictions that bind them to these chores. Any person is free to excuse themselves, especially when they are busy, or feeling tired or unwell. The way family members share duties in my family without considering their gender variations is a perfect illustration of how gender balance builds peace and foster family ties.

The other aspect which the study identifies as being part of the family relations is how members address each other with respect and courteousness. For example, my mother would listen keenly to what my father tells him, and vice versa. In the same vein, my siblings relate with each other with respect each person deserves, which presents an opportunity for every person to give their views. For example, one would not do what the other disapproves, especially if it is likely to cause more harm to other members of the family. It is also rare for members of the family to engage in harsh counteractions, and seem to understand that this could cause dissatisfaction. No one uses harsh words against the other, and everyone excuses him or herself anytime they violate the other or go against their desires or plans. My siblings and my aunt and nephew who came to visit for a few weeks develop a positive attitude towards my parents, which contributes towards respect.

Furthermore, each member of the family tries to calm down when they are annoyed or angry and tend to prioritize the feelings of others during the daily engagement. Each member tries to affirm what others say by listening keenly and affirmations that they matter. The other ways through which members of the family show respect to others is they are kind to each other, they relate to each other politely and are always thankful for any favors or service. 

The different personalities of each member of the family have a considerable impact on their behaviors and interactions with others despite the attempts to help each other and be respectful to what others say and think. For example, my aunt is an introvert and always keeps quiet unless another person engages her in a conversation. My mother and sisters, on the other hand, are extroverts and prefer to interact extensively with each other. They invite their friends over and visit them at their places where they spend much time talking about many things. They also spend a lot of time visiting different places in the city, and like purchasing many things. They would most definitely love to visit sites such as the Trobriand Islands that have many anthropological sites such that anthropologists regard it a sacred place if they had the opportunity (Weiner 1). My mum resembles the woman Anand (97) describes at the beginning of Chapter 3 as being a good timekeeper in the way she wakes up each early to ensure her children take birth before leaving for school. She wakes up each morning to prepare breakfast and believes that the family starts the morning well when everyone gets their morning meal in time. My father loves reading and does not talk much. He spends a lot of time reading daily newspapers and his favorite magazines. He appears keen whenever he reads and does not want any disturbance during such time. My brother loves watching films and surfing the internet when he is not working. One day he came at home and realized that he forgot his flash drive where he had loaded some films at the office. He drove back and came much later in the night, but this did not deter him from watching the films he had wanted so badly to see. 

Main Picture 

Overall, the study illustrates the importance of developing a household where people relate with each other without considering their differences. The way of living in my family shows that it is possible to live together without any disagreements when everyone relates to the other without considering their gender and how that make them superior or inferior. The observation shows that it is possible to build a united family in the way it happens with the residents of a Balinese village that Geertz (1) describes as a place where people go about different activities as a unit rather than different households. Nevertheless, the study reveals the need to avoid a situation where members of a family relate to each other with indifference in the same way the Balinese people interact with strangers. Geertz (1) describes how the villagers “acted as if the visitors did not exist” and either remained silent or fumbled some incoherent words when asked something. Such indifferences could result in a situation where members do not help each other, and always feel secluded.

Summary

The ethnographic study reveals that the members of the family relate to each other without paying much attention to how their genders make them different. They share duties regardless of their age and gender differences and regard each other with the respect they deserve. Each member of the family feels that they should be kind, polite, and committed to safeguarding the interests and views of others. Even though everyone seems to get along well with each other, every person acts in a way that reflects their personality. 

Works Cited

Anan, Nikhil. Hydraulic City: Water and the Infrastructures of Citizenship in Mumbai. Duke University Press, 2017.

Geertz, Clifford. “Deep Play: Notes on the Balinese Cockfight.” Myth, Symbol, and Culture, vol. 101, no. 1, 1972, 1-37.

Weiner, Annette. The Trobrianders of Papua New Guinea. Harcourt College Publishers, 1988.