#26 - Prof. Elizabeth Keating - Interviewing Your Family
Oct 23, 2023
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Prof. Elizabeth Keating, an Anthropology professor, discusses the importance of interviewing family members for untold stories and connecting across generations. Topics include uncovering family stories through everyday conversations, preparing for cataclysmic events based on family history, exploring cross-generational perspectives and cultural values, navigating public discourse on research findings and policy implications, and exploring reality and family history for personal growth.
Interviewing family members uncovers unique stories and bridges generational gaps.
Anthropological perspective in family interviews focuses on everyday life experiences and cultural contexts.
Deep dives
Importance of Interviewing Family Members
Interviewing family members can provide valuable insights into their lives and experiences. Professor Elizabeth Keating discusses how after her mother's passing, she deeply regretted not asking her important questions about her life. She highlights the significance of understanding family history to bridge generational gaps and discover unique stories.
Anthropological Approach to Family Interviews
Professor Keating emphasizes the anthropological perspective in family interviews, focusing on ordinary everyday life rather than just significant events. By asking questions about daily routines, house descriptions, and neighborhood dynamics, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of family members' experiences and cultural contexts.
Challenges of Disconnected Generations
Professor Keating and the host discuss the disconnect between generations in understanding family histories. They note that in modern society, many individuals lack knowledge about their relatives' past experiences. While some families like the host's have a tradition of sharing stories, others experience significant gaps in communication and understanding.
Discussion on Cultural Variations and Moral Dilemmas
The conversation delves into the exploration of cultural variations in ethics and virtues. Professor Keating shares insights from her anthropological research, highlighting differences in moral systems and perspectives across diverse cultures. The discussion extends to the complexities of moral dilemmas and ethical considerations in different societal contexts.
Welcome to the Otherweb. Our guest today is Prof. Elizabeth Keating - a professor of Anthropology at UT Austin, and the author of "The Essential Questions - interview your family to uncover stories and bridge generations."
Join us in this enlightening discussion, and after you do - please check out the Otherweb via: