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Image by Michael Tuszynski

The Patel Family

Location: Inner-ring suburban neighborhood near Rochester
Household: Rohit (39), Priya (37), Asha (16), Arjun (12)

Overview

The Patel family lives in a single-family home on a quiet residential street in a suburb adjacent to Rochester. Both parents work—Rohit full-time as a service technician and Priya part-time in dental care. Their schedules are consistent, and the family uses one shared car.

Home & Living Environment

Their home has three bedrooms, a backyard, and sufficient indoor space for studying, relaxing, and recreation. Each child has their own workspace, and the family maintains reliable internet. The neighborhood has low traffic, sidewalks on most streets, and a mix of young families and long-term residents.

Evenings at home are typically structured around homework, meal preparation, and after-school activities. Weekends are used for grocery shopping, family gatherings, and household projects.

Neighborhood & Community Context

Within a short drive are multiple grocery stores, pharmacies, and two large retail plazas. A town park, local library, and community recreation center are also nearby. Streets are well-lit, and outdoor spaces—including walking trails and sports fields—are used frequently by residents.

The suburb has organized youth sports leagues and enrichment programs, though some require participation fees or parent transportation. Public transit options are limited, so most activities depend on car access.

Schooling & Daily Routines

Asha and Arjun attend a suburban school district with a variety of extracurricular options and academic support programs. After-school schedules vary: Arjun’s soccer practices occur twice weekly, while Asha often spends evenings on schoolwork, projects, and occasional club meetings.

Meal routines differ across the week—weekday dinners are typically quick or reheated, while weekends allow for more time-intensive cooking and family meals.

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Nutrition

Typical Pattern​

Weekday meals are often microwaveable or convenience-based; healthier family meals occur on weekends

 

Influencing Factors

Parental work hours and limited time for meal prep

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Sleep

Typical Pattern​

Asha averages 6.5–7 hours due to homework + screen time; Arjun sleeps ~8 hours​ 

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Influencing Factors

Academic workload and early school start times

Physical Activity

Typical Pattern​

Arjun participates in soccer twice weekly; Asha is mostly sedentary

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Influencing Factors

Time, self-image concerns, lack of structured after-school involvement

Brett Seaman CORE4990 Fall 2025

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