To reflect on my family culture I have chosen to focus on my family of origin since it is difficult to generalize about all aspects of ones family (in-laws, nuclear family, extended family including cousins - of which I have many -etc).

My family of origin is small (I am an only child) and close knit. Although not demonstrative (not much hugging and kissing like I think of, in say a stereotypical Italian family, expressions of caring are demonstrated by your actions. I think the story of my mother's family set the tone for this culture. When my mother was 10 her father died. This was 1930s Toronto so things were tough. Grandma took in borders to help make ends meet. My mom had to help with cleaning and cooking. Her older brothers (she had 6 siblings) had to go out to work to support the family. They had to all pitch in and help. The culture was always one of hard work and self sufficiency (though there was lots of fun too - I don't want to give the impression the family was boring - in fact quite the opposite). As a child I was always expected to work hard at school and whatever else I did and contribute to the family by doing chores and helping out. Although the economic situation was not the same growing up in the 1960s with two working parents with decent jobs, the work ethic was ingrained in our family culture.