Foundations

Life Course Perspective

Karla Nicole Jones

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Now let’s meet Joan’s daughter Nicci.


Cultural Values. Just as Joan’s life course was influenced by her mother and the cultural values she imparted to her, Nicci’s life course as an adult is influenced by her family’s culture values.

Joan’s mother had an important influence on Nicci as well as Joan, including the important value of standing up for herself.  Hear about that influence from Nicci.


Self-Sufficiency. The family value of being self-sufficient that Joan learned has now been passed down to Nicci. Working for a living is an important goal for her and she has taken control of that part of her life by starting her own business.  Learn about why Nicci decided to be an entrepreneur.


Value of Education. The family value placed on education has not been lost on Nicci.  She is determined to continue her own education in the future.  Nicci talks about her educational goals.


Self-Advocacy. Nicci has learned to stand up for herself from her grandmother and had the model of her mother, Joan, as an effective advocate.  Now Nicci has taken on the role of a self-advocate.

In order to get assistance from the Department of Rehabilitation to move her document shredding business to the next level, Nicci was told that she had to have a site for the business outside her home. She and her mother decided to ask their church if she could use some space there for her business. While they were ultimately agreeable, they were slow in implementing.  Nicci was a persistent self-advocate and they often joked with her about that persistence.

As Joan and Nicci’s lives continue to unfold they will undoubtedly impact the next generation—Joan’s grandchildren.