Posts: 456
Location: Canada-Glorious and Free
Posted on: 11-01-06 17:22:59
Location: Canada-Glorious and Free
Posted on: 11-01-06 17:22:59
The Facts and Arguments column has an article written by a pakistani (Raja M Ali Saleem) today. It is titled "Riding two cultural horses at once". It has to do with the decision to immigrate or not.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20060111/FACTS11/TPComment/Features
BV
Quote:
Orginally posted by Big Vee
The Facts and Arguments column has an article written by a pakistani (Raja M Ali Saleem) today. It is titled "Riding two cultural horses at once". It has to do with the decision to immigrate or not.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20060111/FACTS11/TPComment/Features
BV
A snippet from the article...
Quote:
usually answer the above question with the promise to think about it. But whatever other people surmise, I'm thinking about my children and, believe it or not, Pakistan does have some advantages for them. It is a place where their roots are. They are still young (daughter five years old, son three years old) and they will be assimilated in Canada, but their roots, their culture will always be Pakistani.
How is he so sure? Isn't he assuming too much on behalf of the the kids here? Sure, the kids will most likely maintain touch with their Pakistani roots and culture, they will however adopt Canadian values and culture as well. Why does this always have to be a "confusing" situation for the kids? Isn't another way to look at it as the kids being well rounded having been exposed to the best of two worlds?
I have several cousins who either came to North America at a very young age OR were born here. NONE of them appear confused and lost all the time, they're all pretty happy with their lives here. Sure, there's always some situations that result in a cultural dilemma, but those are far and few. For the most part, they all seem like well rounded individuals.
The whole perception that somehow kids will grow up here all confused and lost as to where they belong is baloney. It is frankly the thinking of over protective or over zealous parents who want to dictate kids lives rather than teaching the right values and letting them make their own decisions. It is also an issue of parents underestimating the strength of their kids to grow and learn from exposure to two different cultures.
I think he needs to give his kids more credit. I don't agree with his rationale for riding two horses, he needs to get off one himself. My bet? He'll stay on the Canadian horse....
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Are you there?
Posts: 1920
Location: British Columbia
Posted on: 11-01-06 19:40:56
Location: British Columbia
Posted on: 11-01-06 19:40:56
I agree blue lobster...with ur statement that you get the best of both worlds...
I also wonder what the authors experience of Calgary was.
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~ Morning rain
Posts: 456
Location: Canada-Glorious and Free
Posted on: 12-01-06 11:06:52
Location: Canada-Glorious and Free
Posted on: 12-01-06 11:06:52
I quite agree ...kids either born here or who immigrated at a young age, have a distinct sense of identity. They are not riding "two horses". They are riding their own horse, to use the authors analogy.
The problem is the author is "transplanting his roots" on to his children. I am sure the children feel their roots are here.
BV
Posts: 1920
Location: British Columbia
Posted on: 12-01-06 13:03:47
Location: British Columbia
Posted on: 12-01-06 13:03:47
Quote:
Orginally posted by Big Vee
I quite agree ...kids either born here or who immigrated at a young age, have a distinct sense of identity. They are not riding \"two horses\". They are riding their own horse, to use the authors analogy.
The problem is the author is \"transplanting his roots\" on to his children. I am sure the children feel their roots are here.
BV
I agree. An individual carries with them in their lives all sorts of identities - ie/ Indian, canadian, male, female, young,old, a book lover, pet lover, computer whiz etc. Being born and raised here, I am a canadian.. however having my physical roots here (which I feel) I also feel a kinship with India... and people from India because they are part of my 'identity' too. Does that make sense?
I think it depends on parents quite a bit - my parents always encouraged us to enjoy the best of both worlds, learn about our cultural history (ie/. India), and to be a good person above all. I was fascinated by India growing up (I used to visit every 2-3 years).
I know though that not everyone thinks of India if their roots are here..so it depends.
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~ Morning rain
Quote:
I think it depends on parents quite a bit - my parents always encouraged us to enjoy the best of both worlds, learn about our cultural history (ie/. India), and to be a good person above all. I was fascinated by India growing up (I used to visit every 2-3 years).
I know though that not everyone thinks of India if their roots are here..so it depends.
I agree... It depends a lot on parents on how they are bringing their kids up. Especially if the kids have immigrated at a young age or are born here. They have a huge part in shaping up the child's future. I, personally, have not seen any "confused" kids who do not know where they belong. a
Posts: 1920
Location: British Columbia
Posted on: 16-01-06 13:06:58
Location: British Columbia
Posted on: 16-01-06 13:06:58
Quote:
Orginally posted by MadammeX
I agree... It depends a lot on parents on how they are bringing their kids up. Especially if the kids have immigrated at a young age or are born here. They have a huge part in shaping up the child's future. I, personally, have not seen any \"confused\" kids who do not know where they belong. a
Ok but suppose the issue is about something mundane like food. Though other issues can be discussed out I have seen (and I myself experience) the desire to eat less Indian food and more other food. My spouse because he's born and raised in India could eat Indian food 3 meals a day/7 days a week. My formula is 3 meals a week/ 7 days a month
The reason I even mention food is that generally meals can be emotional, cultural and many family events centre around food.
What do you think?
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~ Morning rain
