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Old 12-23-2003, 08:13 AM   #6 (permalink)
lurkette
My future is coming on
 
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Whew, what a mess!

I think a lot of first-generation immigre kids find themselves in this position: torn between their parent's desire to hold to traditions, and their own instincts that new ideas and new ways of being and behaving can be good.

There are a couple of issues here, and ultimately, as others have said, the final decision is yours.

Coming from an outside, secular perspective, I think your parents' desires for you to stay in your own culture are driven more by fear than anything else. How can love be a sin? Every culture is afraid of change. Most individuals are afraid of change. The problem is when this fear of the other gets codified into a social institution, like religion. I think sometimes simple exposure to that which you're afraid of can help, but I'm not sure this will work in your parents' case - they seem pretty entrenched in their beliefs, and I'm not sure that getting to know Emily will really help. It might, but it seems like they are pretty set in their ways.

The bottom line is: what do you feel is right? Do you see your parents' views as prejudice, or as a legitimate concern for your spiritual well-being? If you broke up with Emily, would it be because you really do accept your parents' values, or would it be just to appease them? In the end you have to be true to yourself. But you also have to be prepared for the consequences of your actions. A lot of people have to deal with this (finding your own path regardless of your parents' wishes, and sometimes in direct opposition to their wishes), regardless of culture or religion. It could be that someone's dad really wanted them to be a doctor, but their path is as an artist. Or someone's parents really want them to have children. Or someone turns out to be gay and their parents are homophobic. I guess what I'm saying is that you're not alone. A lot of people have to negotiate these waters, and it can be done if you're extremely honest with yourself about what you want, and what it's going to cost you to get it.

Best of luck, my friend.
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