Identity is who someone is, where they come from, their values and where they acquire these values. In the article, “Sharing One Skin,” by Jeanette Armstrong speaks about her identity, who she is and where she comes from. She explains the significance of how and why she and her community partake in certain activities. She describes the importance of oneself, family, community and land. “Each person is born into a family and a community. No person is born isolated from those two things.”(p.465) She heavily emphasizes and brings up the concept of the four selves of the Okanagan people which include physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual selves. She indepthly explains each self on how to activate it, how they function, how they are used and how they all connect to each other. 

Joe Suina, from Cochiti Pueblo shares his upbringing and schooling. He grew up in Cochiti Pueblo with his grandmother from the age of five to nine years old. He was six years old when we began school. He explains his life experiences and how difficult it was for him to adjust to the “white man” way of life. “Leave your Indian at home! Was like a school trademark.”(p.3) He describes how managing both his traditional/cultural ways with school was difficult. He felt alone and often lost himself but everytime he returned home, it only took a little time to readjust to feel where he belonged and who he was. 

A lot of sacred land and landmarks have a name that is significant to that specific place but many of these names are white, settlers, or colonizers who often do not have a deep connection to the land. “Sacred sites also hold a mythic layer of significance. The topography of sacred landscapes is overlaid with mythical events that occurred during creation.”(p.4) The article “How place names impact the way we see landscape” by B. Toastie explains how Indigenous people have different names for the land because they use names that have cultural or distinct features that represent the land. Cash Cash also believes saying and repeating colonizers names keeps the “trauma of depression fresh”. The article talks about how settlers did not understand the language so they wrote it down, but now elders during that time are no longer here, they cannot confirm whether or not these stories are true. 

The “Retention of Traditionalism” emphasizes how urbanization has changed the structure of family in Native Americans. “The strong influence of family social structure among Indians on the reservation or in the city has been one of the fundamental strengths of Indian families (although the indian family became threatened in American society in the 1980’s and 1990’s.)” (p.4) Strong family structure is important because it keeps people and family connected. It can be beneficial in many ways physically, emotionally and mentally. People who have a strong family structure are more stable in all aspects and can increasingly thrive better than people who do not. 

The article “Native American Patterns of Kinship” gives details about the family patterns and structure of Native American families before and after contact with European Americans. “Rules about kinship and descent function in a place of formal governments and economies. Kinship rules and obligations provide a structure for the community and for the individual.” (p.1) This explains how having a foundation and rules can help keep the community from losing their traditional values. It also sets boundaries for people to keep in mind for themselves and their family and how the family functions. 

Family structure and kinship of Native Americans is one of the most fundamental parts to Native American kinship and the importance of the extended family. “Beyond extended families. Each person belonged to a clan or society. Belonging to a community, clan/society and extended family provided security and safety for everyone-child, teenager, adult, and elder.” (p.1) This shows the mainstream family is nothing compared to Native American kinship and how they all had a sense of belonging. 

Julianna Arquero. ¨God Parents¨, No date. 

Butt, Ayesha. "DESIblitz: Natasa Stankovic on co-parenting with Hardik Pandya." DESIblitzNewstex, 2024. ProQuest, https://www.proquest.com/blogs-podcasts-websites/desiblitz-natasa-stankovic-on-co-parenting-with/docview/3126450613/se-2.

Co-parenting is not only an American concept, or can only occur in American homes. The article, ¨Natasa Stankovic on Co-parenting with Hardik Pandya¨, proves other families around the world with different beliefs and values may also go through these types of struggles. Stankovic is a model who is originally from Serbia and was married to Pandya who is from India. Together they had a son, Agastya. Unfortunately, for this family, the romantic relationship ended between the parents, but they ended on good terms. As mature adults and parents, Stankovic and Pandya decided mutually and respectfully, they should split their romantic relationship but continue to have a strong co-parenting relationship for their son, Agastya. After the relationship ended, Stankovic visits Serbia annually, but decides to focus on her son's upbringing in India, as she believes that is what's best for her son even though she is not from India. ¨Natasa emphasised the importance of their son, Agastya, as the bond that keeps them connected as family.¨ (P.1) No matter what happens, the parents will always be connected because of the children so they might as well make the best of the situation and create a friendly environment for all involved. 

Personal Photo. ¨Girls¨, Mar. 1, 2025.

“Mental Health and the Single Parent.” Mental Health America, https://mhanational.org/mental-health-and-single-parent. Accessed 12 February 2025.

Co-parenting is not always easy, especially as a single parent. The article “Mental Health and Single Parent” explains the difficulties and struggles a single parent experiences. Single parents are a broad category. It is important to recognize that single parents can still be in a relationship with the father or someone else, but if they are not receiving much help, they are considered single parents. Being a single parent while co-parenting can be extremely draining for the single parent and children. Though it is difficult as explained in the article, single parents may experience stress from financial support, no personal time, feeling like they have no help, isolation, and especially disagreements and custody disputes with the other parent. These disagreements may be unavoidable, but as co-parents, you must work together for the children. ¨Remember that your children are the priority, not your feelings about each other.¨ (P.3) Doing everything for the children can increase and encourage a healthy, subtle relationship for the parents but more importantly, the children. 

Julianna Arquero. ¨Mom & Daughter¨, No date. 

“Helping Teen Parents and Their Children Build Healthy Futures.” HealthyChildren.Org, 21 Aug. 2017, www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/dating-sex/Pages/Teen-Parents.aspx. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025. 

The dysfunctionality of families and different types of family structures exist, and this is shown in my research. I researched three different types of family structures, starting with teen Parents. Teen parents and the struggles they may face and resourceful options are explained in the article, “Helping Teen Parents and Their Children Build Healthy Futures” which is easy to understand, and informs challenges specifically teen parents may encounter before, during, and after the child is born. Not only are there challenges, there are also helpful tips on how to manage self-care as well as the child’s well-being. There was one management tip that was attention seeking, which was the explanation of the importance of promoting positive parent-child relationships. “No matter how you feel about the other parent, remember that positive parent-child relationships are critical for healthy child development. Encourage and support the other parent’s role.” (P.3) This is a very important and critical step not only for your relationship with the other parent but more importantly the relationship between said parent and the child.