Marriage Education for Good Old Boys Amanda Schroeder, B.S. Jennifer Baker, PsyD LMFT

Labels for Folks in Rural Areas “Good Old Boys” “Good Old Boys” “Rednecks” “Rednecks” “White Trash” “White Trash” “Hillbillies” “Hillbillies” How are these labels different or similar from one another?

Stereotypical Thinking What images come to mind when you think about “good old boys” or “rednecks?” What images come to mind when you think about “good old boys” or “rednecks?” These elements constitute a culture. These elements constitute a culture. They can exert a powerful influence over our thinking about behavior. They can exert a powerful influence over our thinking about behavior.

Common Stereotypes Include Racists Racists Uneducated Uneducated Drunks Drunks Inbred Inbred Conservative Conservative Dirty Slow Offensive Stupid Backwards

Confirmation Bias - If we believe something to be true we look for information to support our bias. - Can influence the thousands of subtle, nonverbal signals we send each other every day (micromessages). - Micromessages are communicated by head nods, eye contact, head turns, and gestures.

Confirmation Bias What biases exist regarding “good old boy” / “redneck” culture and healthy marriage? What biases exist regarding “good old boy” / “redneck” culture and healthy marriage? How do these beliefs influence the micromessages we may unknowingly communicate? How do these beliefs influence the micromessages we may unknowingly communicate?

Recognizing Biases Stereotypes are also influenced by media: Stereotypes are also influenced by media: “You might be a redneck if…” (Jeff Foxworthy) “You might be a redneck if…” (Jeff Foxworthy) TV shows: “My Name is Earl” TV shows: “My Name is Earl” We are bombarded with stereotypes that have become a part of popular culture. We are bombarded with stereotypes that have become a part of popular culture.

BelievingIsSeeing…

Where the Heart Is

Social Class and Culture Social class is often overlooked in terms of diversity. Social class is often overlooked in terms of diversity. “Whiteness” in our society is associated with power, but the low income white population finds themselves as a societal anomaly, i.e., white without power. “Whiteness” in our society is associated with power, but the low income white population finds themselves as a societal anomaly, i.e., white without power. A strong identity is formed to class, i.e., the working man. (McCarter, 2006) A strong identity is formed to class, i.e., the working man. (McCarter, 2006)

Differing Outlooks (Payne, 1996) Differing Outlooks (Payne, 1996) Working Class Middle class Upper class Money To be used, spent To be managed To be invested, conserved Food Quantity: Did you have enough? Quality: Did you like it? Presentation: Did it look nice? Time Present: Decisions based on feelings or survival Future Oriented: Decisions made against future results Focus on Past: Decisions based on history and tradition Language Causal, about survival Formal, about negotiation Formal, about networking Driving Force Survival, relationships, entertainment Work, achievement Financial, political, social connections

Exploring the Culture Awareness of cultural elements is key to understanding “good old boy” or “redneck culture.” Awareness of cultural elements is key to understanding “good old boy” or “redneck culture.”

Good Old Boy Culture Survival: Things in modern society that must be done to get food and shelter. Survival: Things in modern society that must be done to get food and shelter. Relationships: Ownership of people, “my old man, my old lady”, Relationships: Ownership of people, “my old man, my old lady”, Entertainment: TV, country music, bars, etc. Entertainment: TV, country music, bars, etc. (McCarter, 2006)

Elements of Culture Symbols = Representations of ideas so their meanings can be shared Objects Cars Guns Gestures Entertainment Religion Language

Common Good Old Boy Beliefs Symbolic statements about reality A strong work ethic reflects the quality of the person. There is pride in one’s individual work. A strong work ethic reflects the quality of the person. There is pride in one’s individual work. Do things intuitively, live in here and now. Do things intuitively, live in here and now. Education: Something done to get a job. Education: Something done to get a job. Traditional thoughts of religion and family. Traditional thoughts of religion and family.

Working Class Ideas on Marriage Man is the head of the house and provider; women take care of the children. Man is the head of the house and provider; women take care of the children. Male/Female gender stereotypes common. Male/Female gender stereotypes common. Divorce can be seen as a failure: may fight often, but stay together. Divorce can be seen as a failure: may fight often, but stay together. Men can sometimes lead double life: life at home with family and life at bars when out with friends. Men can sometimes lead double life: life at home with family and life at bars when out with friends. Communication problems are expected. Communication problems are expected.

Jeff Foxworthy Totally Committed

Common Working Class Values Protect and defend family. Protect and defend family. Stand up for yourself. Stand up for yourself. Status found within, not outside social groups. Status found within, not outside social groups. Loyalty and honesty. Loyalty and honesty. Sense of Community found at local establishments (rather than at work). Sense of Community found at local establishments (rather than at work).

Implications for Promoting Marriage Education in the Working Class Implementation of marriage education could be beneficial in fostering healthy communication between husband and wife. Implementation of marriage education could be beneficial in fostering healthy communication between husband and wife. Men enjoy being providers economically. Help to make them to be providers emotionally as well. Men enjoy being providers economically. Help to make them to be providers emotionally as well. Primary function of the home is comfort – In relation to marriage, help demonstrate that a comfortable home is one with a happy marriage. Primary function of the home is comfort – In relation to marriage, help demonstrate that a comfortable home is one with a happy marriage.

Implications for Marriage Education in the Working Class Use examples that include symbols, icons and values familiar to working class participants. Use examples that include symbols, icons and values familiar to working class participants. Include real-life examples and/or analogies to which class can easily relate. Include real-life examples and/or analogies to which class can easily relate. Utilize humor popular with working class audience. Humor lowers defenses and opens us to new ideas and experiences. Utilize humor popular with working class audience. Humor lowers defenses and opens us to new ideas and experiences.

Using Popular Culture Set the mood Set the mood Before the class starts Before the class starts During activities During activities Using as a conversation starter Using as a conversation starter Agreement with lyrics not necessary Agreement with lyrics not necessary Have copies of the lyrics to go with songs Have copies of the lyrics to go with songs Illustrate an important concept Illustrate an important concept Touch head and heart Touch head and heart