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Olha Lee

Collaboration
Complete, cohesive collaboration is difficult to achieve due to differing points of view.
Every person has a unique outlook on certain issues because of their experiences. Although some
viewpoints may seem similar, the effect that they cast on each of us is exceptionally different.
Not only do experiences play a role in our point of view, but so does age and heritage. Over the
past eighteen years I have had a lot of experience collaborating with the differing views of my
parents. During the course of my life, my parents have had extremely differing views than I, in
special relation to determining house work duties.
Every member of my family has a variety of contradicting characteristics that make the
views of different situations unique. My father was born into an American family who cherished
a clean home and a well cooked dinner. Both of his parents worked long hours, so it was his
responsibility to care for his younger sister, clean the house and cook dinner. In contrast to my
fathers background, my Ukrainian mother was brought up completely different. In her
household, earning the best grades that she could receive had more value than housework. It is
because of my parents opposing backgrounds and childhood setting that they have contradictory
outlooks on everyday life.
Assigning chores and delegating completion times for these responsibilities is the issue
that requires the most collaboration from my family and I. My father has made it apparent that
the act of housework takes precedent over completing school work, but my mothers opinion is
the opposite. This has been a growing struggle in my family because of conflicting points of
view. To draft a solution, I suggested having chores that could be completed on the weekends
which do not reduce the amount of time I have for homework on the weekdays. Based on my
educated request, my parents were open to negotiating my desires. With this compromise, I was
still able to do chores and keep up with schoolwork.
In my eyes, school has tremendous potential to reflect the quality of my future, and
therefore I take it more seriously than chores. Before this incident, I didnt understand why house
work was so important, but as I got older I realized the value of time. Due to the fact that both of
my parents work, it is difficult to maintain housework too. I have come to the conclusion that
although schoolwork is important, helping parents manage the house is just as important.
Because of my further understanding of this situation, Ive been able to help out my parents
while still completing all assignments.
From this experience I have realized that to produce a valid solution to any problem, both
sides of a conflict must be understood. Every persons voice should be heard and accounted for
equally. Most of all, repairing a conflict should not result in either side winning or losing, but
rather producing a compromise.

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