What is a "Family, Youth, and Community Science" (FYCS) degree and when does one decide he or she wants to major in family life 101? Well, I cannot speak for everyone, I can only speak for myself and what it means to me, along with why I chose it.
-To say families are a one-mold-fits-all concept is to not understand families. To give just two examples of what I mean, you have the more traditional-based family as pictured on the left composed of a mother, father, and a child who love each other dearly; mirroring the love they share, the landscape is set against serene cherry blossom trees in full bloom. On the right is more of a nontraditional family style of people who are more different than night and day, which is further evident through their different clothes and hair styles; despite their differences, they managed to form a unit through shared experiences and struggles.
This is the beauty of families- no two are the same. Just like as these pictures show, my family is completely different, capturing its own style. My parents are recently divorced, a concept different from either of these pictures. When I found out this was happening, I think some part deep down inside of me lit up, and I realized I did not know much about family structures and factors that affect them. This was when I first became interested in this type of major.
Youth
This is the beauty of families- no two are the same. Just like as these pictures show, my family is completely different, capturing its own style. My parents are recently divorced, a concept different from either of these pictures. When I found out this was happening, I think some part deep down inside of me lit up, and I realized I did not know much about family structures and factors that affect them. This was when I first became interested in this type of major.
Youth
-This group of high school students truly represents unadulterated youth like no other. Through all their mishaps and the laughs and tears that ensue, these students in Ouran High School's Host Club learn what it means to grow up in a world they are just starting to understand. Between the bright color of their uniforms and the innocent look they all possess, no expense is spared to prove this is a tale of youth finding their way in this maze we call life. One of the interesting aspects of growing up, is no two people experience it the same way. Sensing a pattern yet? I like uniqueness. Two or more things, that while they may share similar aspects, are different. That is the main selling point an FYCS major brings to the table for me. Essentially FYCS focuses around the teaching and application of development, growth, and relationships; each of which are different for everyone.
Again, there is one more trend that should be noticeable by this point. Every picture I have used so far has been anime related. Like an FYCS degree, no anime is exactly the same. However, anime goes above and beyond that, each anime is created from scratch, with each aspect purposeful down to color and shape. That is not something you can find in "real people" shows. Yes, things may be purposeful, but each component was not created for the sole reason of being a character or object in that show. In anime, everything is from scratch and created for each individual story line, making each anime as unique as a fingerprint.
Community
-Living your own life, but working towards a common goal is at the center of community. Funeral Parlor, the group depicted above, shows seven people headed in the same direction. While every community does not have to be as fluid and cohesive as Funeral Parlor, they show what a community is capable of when in perfect sync. Their own personalities and styles are evident from the slight variations in their wear, but they maintain a theme to keep a sense of togetherness.
Originally, I am from Illinois. Growing up, my community consisted of the combination of my own family, along with two neighboring families. We bonded pretty fast, and before I was in high school, we were going on vacations together. By the time I reached high school, we had a rotation set up so that every weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), we would alternate which family would host dinner for everyone in our group and we would have a potluck. Some of the best experiences in my life have to do with my neighbors and the dinners we had. To this day, I still look forward to holidays when I can go back and have dinner with my neighbors.
Again, there is one more trend that should be noticeable by this point. Every picture I have used so far has been anime related. Like an FYCS degree, no anime is exactly the same. However, anime goes above and beyond that, each anime is created from scratch, with each aspect purposeful down to color and shape. That is not something you can find in "real people" shows. Yes, things may be purposeful, but each component was not created for the sole reason of being a character or object in that show. In anime, everything is from scratch and created for each individual story line, making each anime as unique as a fingerprint.
Community
-Living your own life, but working towards a common goal is at the center of community. Funeral Parlor, the group depicted above, shows seven people headed in the same direction. While every community does not have to be as fluid and cohesive as Funeral Parlor, they show what a community is capable of when in perfect sync. Their own personalities and styles are evident from the slight variations in their wear, but they maintain a theme to keep a sense of togetherness.
Originally, I am from Illinois. Growing up, my community consisted of the combination of my own family, along with two neighboring families. We bonded pretty fast, and before I was in high school, we were going on vacations together. By the time I reached high school, we had a rotation set up so that every weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), we would alternate which family would host dinner for everyone in our group and we would have a potluck. Some of the best experiences in my life have to do with my neighbors and the dinners we had. To this day, I still look forward to holidays when I can go back and have dinner with my neighbors.
I think learning about adolescent behavior and the inner workings of group dynamics, and using that knowledge to better others is cool, to put it simply. Each aspect of this degree holds a place in my heart. Whether it relates to my own life, brings uncertainty and a change of pace, or reminds me of my past, a Family, Youth, and Community Science degree is the degree for me. It all boils down to one moment though, the moment I knew I was in the right degree track. Right before my Intro to FYCS class was about to end, my teacher summed up what she thought about an FYCS degree, "The FYCS degree is the helping people degree."
What a cool analysis! I've heard that UF is one of the best schools for studying FYCS. There is so much that you can do with this type of degree. Have you thought about the day-to-day workings that you would like to do as a career? Also, I heard that the FYCS degree here requires a certain amount of community service hours. Can you confirm/deny?
ReplyDeleteYes, I have! I really want to go into student affairs and work at a college later on in residence life and education. There is a practicum requirement for this degree, which totals to somewhere around 100-150 hours at a FYCS-related site.
DeleteCool beans! I know of a student who is also in the FYCS program. This past spring they were completing their service hours at one of the elementary schools I subbing at, it was a unique experience to be able to see a student in *their* element doing what they do. It's surreal, almost.
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