Local Practices Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Local Practices - Essay Example In addition, since time and opportunity permitted, one was able to share a traditional meal with them which would also be duly reported. As required, the following aspects were also monitored: language, family organization, reasons for being in their present locality, and traditional health remedies. Interview with African American Family Within the local neighborhood, one had the opportunity to interview a traditional African American family, particularly the grandmother who was more than willing to answer some questions about local health practices. From what has been relayed, the grandmother asserted that most of her grandchildren have exhibited tendencies of being prone to catching influenza and upper respiratory infection. Likewise, she also relayed the other common illnesses manifested among other family members (including the parents of the children) are cardiovascular or heart problem, hypertension, and diabetes. When asked what health problems she, herself, suffers, she answ ered that she is currently suffering from diabetes and hypertension. Likewise, her son, who is the head of the family, also exhibits some tendencies to be overweight or obese. One was also invited for a meal (lunch) as the grandmother with little grandchildren had a fair share of fried foods: chicken, salted pork chops and heaping serving of mashed potato. The grandmother had a side salad of green lettuce, cabbage and tomatoes with mustard; of which, the grandchildren hardly touched. During the meal, the grandmother was a generous hostess who offered everything on the table and replete with stories of yesteryears. She uses the traditional African American language of the prominent Black slang. It is funny to listen how she was able to imbibe contemporary culture’s language by listening to young African Americans within her neighborhood. She said that the whole family had been in the local neighborhood since she was a little girl. She narrated how she met her husband from the same community and thus, opted to stay put, raise her five children and now, her grandchildren in the same residential area. When asked how they address illnesses in the family, she responded by saying that for her grandchildren’s fever, coughs or flu, she gives the traditional over-the-counter drugs that she had known to use for years. When fever persists, she brings her grandchildren to the local community hospital for check-up. They said none of the family members have any health insurance coverage and thus, makes it difficult for them to rely on frequent visits to the doctor. For her hypertension and diabetes, she said that she does not take any regular medication and relies solely on some occasional boiling of herbs, which had been referred to her by friends, relatives, or neighbors. Likewise, she confessed that due to her old age, she also suffers some vision problems, maybe also due and confounded by her diabetes. However, she also disclosed that she has not consulted any physician to address her vision problems. Comparative Analysis When comparing what has been relayed by the African American grandmother who was interviewed, one is convinced that