Both the Mennonite and the Non-Mennonite girls participated in the same household activities and performed them to a similar degree; although the attitude of the Mennonite girls toward the activities was more positive. Apparently, there was little or no relation between the way the girls performed household activities and the way they felt about them. All of the girls occasionally earned money outside the home; while about one-third of the girls worked as much as one day a week. The Mennonite girls took part in more recreational activities with the family, but the Non-Mennonite girls expressed more interest in family recreational activities. Both groups participated in social activities in and outside the home to a similar degree; although the actual activity engaged in varied somewhat. The extent of activity in the home and the amount of time spent away from home were similar for both the Mennonite and Non-Mennonite girls. / Master of Science

This multi-sited ethnography focuses on beliefs and practices associated with death, dying, and palliative care among the Low German-Speaking (LGS) Mennonites. The qualitative data, collected through participant-observation fieldwork and interviews conducted in three LGS Mennonite communities in Mexico and Canada, show a gap between official definitions of palliative care and its practice in real life. The LGS Mennonites’ care for their dying members, in reality, is integrated into their community lives that emphasize or reinforce discipleship by promoting the practices of mutual aid, social networks, and brotherhood/sisterhood among community members. This study also offers ethnographic insights into some difficulties that healthcare providers face while delivering the “holistic” palliative care services to their patients in general, and to the LGS Mennonites in particular. Finally, it provides some suggestions that may aid healthcare providers in developing culturally safe and competent health care services for the LGS Mennonite people living in Canada. / xi, 231 leaves ; 29 cm