ABSTRACT
A cross-cultural perspective is needed when we teach about families. Since many students attending American universities have an ethnocentric view of culture, it is important to provide an alternative perspective that is not focused specifically on one’s own culture, but rather one that provides an ethnorelative approach. Whether teaching about family relations, family communication, parent education, or sexuality, cultural differences and implications can enhance learning within our own culture, as well as learning about other cultures. Providing a cross-cultural approach is important because it allows us to go beyond a narrow focus of Western culture and concepts. We need to create a climate within our family sciences classes that fosters thinking not only about family content, but also multicultural understanding.
