| Author | Siyad Abdullahi MD MPH |
| Date | 01/08/13/16:15 |
| Hit Count | 663 |
| How does the Somali Community address the single
mothers, of any age, but especially teens? Pregrancy or Child birth outside marriage or wedlock was very rare and stigmatized in Somalia. I believe it is still the same here except that it is not openly discussed. Also, i believe most of the sinlge mothers you see are only "single" as in papers. Meaning that most are married but not known as such to County officials for obviuos reasons. In Somalia, Marriage for both males and females occured early in life 18-25. Teen preg per see was rare. However, we might be seeing some increase in their incidence as a result of environmental and cultural changes here in the US. What about the fathers of the children that the single moms are parenting: how does the Somali Community handle them, or is there a response to them? In Somalia, if the pregrant lady identified the FOB. It was common for the families to organize an arranged marriage btwn the two. This mostly worked fine in Somalia!. Obviously things are different here. Somali institutions of problem solving are not really in place here? or are they? I really don't know. What social issues exit? : ie: housing, need for English classes, etc. I think this was well covered in the serving somali clients session. housing is probably the most challenging social service needs for this community With Somali language being mostly an oral tradition, what suggestions for all the letters we need to send? I believe letters are useful. The question is does make a difference wether you send them in Somali or english?. I would say both if possible. If your Somali client size is > 25% i think it is valuable to send in Somali [may be not so much for communicatoin, but may increase satisfaction or even chances of call if you needed one..[Ownership reasins may be?]. For instance i like it when i recieve community events in my neighborhood in Somali:) It helps alot to have a somali staff in your organization or office. I think offices or depts with a high somali clientale should really have a somali staff person. esp professional staff who can do more than just translate. Any pertinent information about traditional family structure, customs, holidays (ie with certain requirements like times of fasting, certain forbidden things, like pork, etc...) Extended and large family sizes, high family values, parents revered!, modesty expected of both sexes, holidays: two main ones; Eid ul fitr, at the end of ramadhan and Eid ul Adhaa, coincides with pilgrimage to mecca. These holidays are also celebrated by all muslims also. Fasting: compulsory during the month of ramadhan except for certain pple such as the sick. Please refer to your reading list and web references given in your first session for religio-cultural questions. Unlawful foods and substacnes; Pork and Alcohol and their derivatives or by-products....even for medicinal purposes. All recreational drugs and any substance that is harmful to ones health. Thank you, Siyad |