Question answered by Kelly Meyer, Director of Operation International Children at PTPI.
1. In Trail of Tears, the Cherokee Nation worked hard to assimilate into the European cultural norms of the new Americans. In present day America, many Indian Americans have chosen to assimilate into the modern cultural norms that have grown from the melting pot that is the United States. Many, however, choose to live on reservations, living life according to the values of their people and their history.
Are there indigenous groups or immigrant groups that have never fully assimilated into your culture? Is it necessary that they do?
I can think of many instances all over the world where this is the case. In fact, PTPI has a student delegation traveling on PTPI’s EXPERIENCE: Peru program where they are learning about indigeneous groups living throughout the country and how they are working to build sustainable lives for themselves while also keeping their cultural identity. The students are currently in the small Amazonian jungle community of Puerto Maldonado. Here, they will have the opportunity to spend time with the local Infierno community learning about how these indigenous groups (the Infierno community is comprised of three main ethnic groups: Ese’eja, Ribereños, and Andeans) have chosen the unique way of using ecotourism to sustain their native lifestyle in the jungle. (To learn more about the student’s journey, check for new posts under the EXPERIENCE Student Travel category on the blog.)
Mmy wife’s paternal family is from Iran and I have seen how three generations of her family have assimilated into America. It is interesting to see how the oldest generation in the family holds on to more traditional beliefs than each following generation.
Her family usually eats traditional Iranian meals, usually consisting of Sabzi, Tadeeg, Ghaymeh, Kabob, and other traditional dishes. Her family in Iran see each other or speak with each other a couple of times a day. Here in the U.S., her family will sometimes go a couple days without seeing or speaking to one another. My wife’s grandmother recently moved back to Iran because she wanted to return where there were stronger family ties and a more religious based community. I have met friends of both her grandmother and father, and I noticed that her grandmother had all Iranian friends and her father had Iranian and American friends, equally.
From my perspective, the longer a family stays in the United States, the more assimilated they become through the generations. I don’t feel that it is necessary to assimilate into Western culture, but it seems that the U.S. melting pot has a very strong influence over traditional values throughout the generations of a family. In my wife’s family, it was not seen as disrespectful to shed traditions, beliefs, or customs to assimilate into U.S. culture. It seems the traditions that remain do so within the home, but they embrace U.S. cultural norms in public.
The opinions expressed by PTPI staff and other book club members are entirely their own and are not necessarily the views of People to People International or that of PTPI’s Officers, Board of Directors and Board of Trustees.
Tags: Global Book Club, John Ehle, Persian Cuisine, Trail of Tears
I would tend to believe that there are very few, if any, immigrant groups who have fully assimilated into American culture. But I think that is a positive thing! It is without question that there will always be varying degrees of assimilation for each immigrant group and each individual immigrant for that matter. It seems that it would be nearly impossible for immigrant groups to the United States not to assimilate to American culture in some ways.
However, as important as it is for immigrants to adapt to American culture in order to survive in our society, I believe it is equally important for the traditions of their native culture to be preserved and passed on to their future generations. Preserving and sharing native traditions is so important; not only for the sake of future generations of immigrants and their ability to connect with their cultural heritage, but also to provide opportunities for immigrant groups to share their culture with other Americans in an effort to foster an understanding of their native culture. In my opinion, it would be unfortunate to see an immigrant group completely assimilate into American culture because it would result in so many lost opportunities for cross-cultural understanding and dialogue.
K. Saroja – It was very interesting to read your comment regarding traditions and how they are different from customs. Customs and traditions are words that are often used interchangeably when perhaps they shouldn’t be.
Having been born a female and American with way to many nations in gene pool to mention I am biased to democracy and a culture that mitigates religious hatred. I also believe mitigating religious hatred helps with allowing men and women to be equal and contribute to all cultures.
Having said that I have been lucky enough to spend almost thirty years in the military traveling. I try to assimilate to the countries culture I am in as long as it is not fanatic and always look for people to discuss our good and not so good points to our cultures. I believe some assimilation helps us understand each other and makes the world a better place.
K. Saroja, we always look forward to your insights and perspectives. We hoped that people from all over the world would share their personal opinions and experience and love the knowledge that we can all gain from reading your comments! Thank you so much for sharing!
I would conclude that it is not necessary to assimilate to any culture fully. With all the forces around us there is continuos birth of new cultures every day and we need to respect and accept that to make this world a better place to live in
I am an eastern Indian immigrant to USA. There is a large east indian population in USA. As immigrants we have learned the western customs and culture to be part of this society. It is just human nature and survival instinct.
I feel there is a subtle differences between Customs and Traditions if I may say so. Traditions have a depth and have passed over to generations. To follow and to be with in the tradition gives the individual a safety net. It is his or her comfort zone and gives a sense of belonging to the community or the particular group.
India being what it is has diversified cultures and traditions. Although most people socialize and do things together on a daily basis, each follow their own tradition in celebrating births, deaths, and marriages. I think the reason is that staying in that ‘ Safety net’ and that behavior is well respected.
I have seen this in several countries where indians have assimilated to their adopted country’s culture and customs but have kept their traditions.
There is nothing wrong with maintaining the tradition as long as we do not become fanatic about it. In every generation there are people who feel comfortable giving up their traditions completely and there are some who strive to keep their traditions alive.
I have noticed this change happening in the second generation of indians. In the last few years there have been several cross cultural marriages and it is becoming more prevalent. In 70′s these marriages were not welcome but to day is accepted well. This is an example of ‘Melting pot’ effect. Although cross cultural weddings are happening the marriage ceremony itself is traditional depending upon the parties involved. Sometimes ceremonies from each culture takes place. eg; Church wedding as well as indian temple wedding.
Older generation coming from India have hard time making the adjustments and do not wish to stay here. They certainly feel lost which is understandable.
I agree with Kelly Meyer that longer a family stays in the United States there will be more assimilation with the culture and customs.
I feel that there is a good possibility that some of the traditions might get diluted or modified to fit the life style of the time period and we have seen this happen historically.