Family

My immediate family consists of my mother, stepfather, little brother and myself. Unlike the families you see on television we are not a traditional bunch. Maybe it’s a cultural thing or maybe it’s just the way my family is but we don’t do a lot of the things I want us to do. For example we never sit down to eat together or we never have family meetings. If my brother or I had a problem I would probably turn to a friend for advice rather then turn to my parents. Don’t get me wrong I feel like my parents are doing their job which is providing shelter and food as well as reprimanding us if we do something we weren’t suppose to, in the long run teaching us right from wrong. When it comes to money and clothing all I had to do when I was younger was just ask but I am not sure if that compensates for the closeness that was missing. I have read that children with families that sit down to eat tend to pay more attention in school and bring better grades home.

I can’t really blame my parents because they are both immigrants to this country and American customs compared to Guyanese customs are a little different. For example people would usually eat whenever they felt hungry rather wait for the rest of the family to ready. Also I believe my culture as a whole view emotions as a weakness. I have noticed that Guyanese people would hid or go through a problem on their own before asking for help or sharing with others. I know I will adapt many of the new American traditions taught to be by the media and books but I hope the years don’t cause me and my descendants to forget culture and customs. I guess it’s going to have to be a little give and take.