Module 7 Discussion
After studying Module 7: Lecture Materials & Resources, discuss the following:
Mr. Perez is a 76-year-old Mexican American who was recently diagnosed with a slow heartbeat requiring an implanted pacemaker. Mr. Perez has been married for 51 years and has 6 adult children (three daughters aged 50, 48, and 42; three sons aged 47, 45, and 36), 11 grandchildren; and 2 great grandchildren. The youngest boy lives three houses down from Mr. and Mrs. Perez. The other children, except the second-oldest daughter, live within 3 to 10 miles from their parents. The second-oldest daughter is a registered nurse and lives out of state. All members of the family except for Mr. Perez were born in the United States. He was born in Monterrey, Mexico, and immigrated to the United States at the age of 18 in order to work and send money back to the family in Mexico. Mr. Perez has returned to Mexico throughout the years to visit and has lived in Texas ever since. He is retired from work in a machine shop.
Mr. Perez has one living older brother who lives within 5 miles. All members of the family speak Spanish and English fluently. The Perez family is Catholic, as evidenced by the religious items hanging on the wall and prayer books and rosary on the coffee table. Statues of St. Jude and Our Lady of Guadalupe are on the living room table. Mr. and Mrs. Perez have made many mandas (bequests) to pray for the health of the family, including one to thank God for the healthy birth of all the children, especially after the doctor had discouraged them from having any more children after the complicated birth of their first child. The family attends Mass together every Sunday morning and then meets for breakfast chorizo at a local restaurant frequented by many of their church’s other parishioner families. Mr. Perez believes his health and the health of his family are in the hands of God.
The Perez family lives in a modest four-bedroom ranch home that they bought 22 years ago. The home is in a predominantly Mexican American neighborhood located in the La Loma section of town. Mr. and Mrs. Perez are active in the church and neighborhood community. The Perez home is usually occupied by many people and has always been the gathering place for the family. During his years of employment, Mr. Perez was the sole provider for the family and now receives social security checks and a pension. Mrs. Perez is also retired and receives a small pension for a short work period as a teacher’s aide. Mr. and Mrs. Perez count on their nurse daughter to guide them and advise on their health care.
Mr. Perez visits a curandero for medicinal folk remedies. Mrs. Perez is the provider of spiritual, physical, and emotional care for the family. In addition, their nurse daughter is always present during any major surgeries or procedures. Mrs. Perez and her daughter the nurse will be caring for Mr. Perez during his procedure for a pacemaker.
Explain the significance of family and kinship for the Perez family.
Describe the importance of religion and God for the Perez family.
Identify two stereotypes about Mexican Americans that were dispelled in this case with the Perez family.
What is the role of Mrs. Perez in this family?
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The Perez family is a Mexican American family, with Mr. Perez being a 76-year-old man who has recently been diagnosed with a slow heartbeat requiring an implanted pacemaker. In this case, we will explore the significance of family and kinship for the Perez family, the importance of religion and God in their lives, dispelled stereotypes about Mexican Americans, and the role of Mrs. Perez in the family.
Answer 1: The significance of family and kinship for the Perez family
For the Perez family, family and kinship hold great significance. This is evident from the close proximity of their children and grandchildren, with most of them living within a short distance from their parents. The strong bond between family members is reflected in their regular gatherings at the Perez home, which has always been the central gathering place for the family. This sense of togetherness and support is further emphasized by the active participation of Mr. and Mrs. Perez in the church and neighborhood community. The family’s unity and cohesion play an important role in providing emotional, social, and practical support to Mr. Perez during his health journey.
Answer 2: The importance of religion and God for the Perez family
Religion and God are of paramount importance to the Perez family. As devout Catholics, their faith is reflected in the religious items displayed in their home, such as prayer books, rosaries, and statues of saints. They regularly attend Mass together on Sundays and engage in prayer and communal worship. For the Perez family, religion serves as a source of strength and guidance, particularly during times of hardship and health issues. They place their trust in God, believing that their health and overall well-being are ultimately in His hands. The family’s religious practices contribute to their sense of identity, purpose, and hope, providing comfort and solace during challenging times.
Answer 3: Dispelled stereotypes about Mexican Americans in the Perez family
The case of the Perez family dispels two stereotypes about Mexican Americans. Firstly, it challenges the stereotype that Mexican Americans are not closely connected to their extended family. In this case, Mr. Perez and his wife have not only maintained close relationships with their six adult children but also continue to have regular contact with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The Perez family’s strong sense of kinship and intergenerational connections contradicts the assumption that Mexican American families are often fragmented.
Secondly, the case challenges the stereotype that Mexican Americans rely solely on traditional medicine and are skeptical of conventional healthcare. Mr. Perez’s utilization of a pacemaker and his family’s involvement in seeking modern medical interventions contradicts the notion that Mexican Americans only resort to curanderos (folk healers) for healthcare needs. The presence of their nurse daughter during medical procedures also demonstrates the family’s openness to Western medical interventions and reliance on the expertise of healthcare professionals.
Answer 4: The role of Mrs. Perez in the family
Mrs. Perez plays a central role in the Perez family as the provider of spiritual, physical, and emotional care. As mentioned in the case, she is responsible for the well-being of the family and supports them in various ways. Mrs. Perez ensures the family’s spiritual needs are met through her involvement in religious practices and prayer. She also takes care of their physical health by providing nutritious meals and supporting them during major surgeries or procedures, as evidenced by her presence during Mr. Perez’s pacemaker procedure. Moreover, Mrs. Perez fulfills the emotional needs of the family by offering love, support, and guidance. Her role as a caregiver extends beyond her immediate family, as she is also involved in providing emotional support to the wider community. Overall, Mrs. Perez plays a vital role in maintaining the physical and emotional well-being of the Perez family.
