Family Image Semiotics Nursing Theories

At first glance, the image used in the banner for the Nursing 550 Family and Culture Diversity Theories does not seem relevant to the subject. However, a deeper examination shows that there are layers of semiotic meaning in the image. The image depicts a gorilla tenderly cradling a kitten in its arms. At first, I did not notice that the baby animal was a kitten at all, assuming that it was a baby gorilla. My assumptions alone are one of the reasons why this course is important in raising awareness about the diversity of family structures. After realizing that the image depicts inter-species parental caring, I considered how gorillas are wild animals whereas kittens have been domesticated over the course of thousands of years. Therefore, a gorilla and a kitten are not just different species with different genetics; they have different genotypes and backgrounds. A person can adopt a kitten, but not a gorilla. Yet ironically, the gorilla is sweetly nurturing the kitten as if it were her own. It does not matter that a gorilla is parenting a kitten; what matters is that the gorilla is keeping the kitten safe, providing food, shelter, and love for the creature regardless of their being from different species and cultural backgrounds. The image therefore reminds us of the tendency to prejudge people as well as animals.
The image also suggests that parenting is innate, to people and to many mammals. It is instinctual behavior for the gorilla to take care of the kitten; the gorilla did not need to be trained to show this kind of behavior. This suggests that people may be similar in their innate ability to nurture. Moreover, the image suggests that many creatures—and especially humans—are born dependent on the adult members of society. Core factors determining the health of a family have nothing to do with the race, class, gender, or any other demographic variable. The adults children depend upon do not necessarily need to be their biological parents, as it is with the kitten and gorilla. All that is needed to raise a child is caring, kindness, and love. As much as the course is about family and culture diversity theories, it will reveal to students the universal values that all human societies share in creating nurturing environments for children.
Using this image as the course banner for Nursing 550 implies that course content will help dispel common myths, biases, and assumptions about parenting and family structures. Nurses need to be aware of their own biases and assumptions, rooted in their own upbringing and cultural background. A course like this promises to help nurses to be aware of how they perceive different family structures, to ultimately improve patient care by promoting tolerance and openness. Nurses working with a “gorilla” patient whose child is a “kitten,” or a “kitten” patient whose parent is a “gorilla” need to refrain from making judgments or being prejudiced when offering care.
Also, the course promises to help nurses understand and apply family systems theories. The kitten cannot be fully understood without accounting for the fact that it was raised by a gorilla and might have gorilla tastes in food, gorilla outlooks on life, or gorilla habits. Nurses need to know about family and cultural background in order to provide optimal patient care and promote patient satisfaction. Family and culture diversity theories show how parenting practices differ depending on historical and cultural contexts. Issues like gender may also factor into family and culture diversity theories, even if the image does not clearly indicate the genders of the animals. The nuclear family and the traditional patriarchal family structure are only a few of many possibilities for providing a safe and loving environment for individuals to thrive. Family and culture diversity theories shed light on how to conceptualize differences for their integration into best practices, helping nurses to create an environment for patients that is supportive.
References
Ehrmin, J. (n.d.). Course banner for Nursing 550 Family and Culture Diversity Theories.