Identity and Immigrants: Clothing, Marriage, and Friendship - Essay Example

Identity and Immigrants Part I A. Clothing Research Even though Baharati and Mira used to dress the same when they were in India, they dressed differently when they reached America (Baharati 272). Research literature reveals that immigrants either maintain their culture or rebel against it by adopting the American culture (Ahadi and Rogelio 842). Mira maintained conservative dressing from her Indian culture. Mrs. Sen’s clothing and shoes are also conservative. Elliot thinks that it is her American mother who looks ridiculous in her form of clothing. This shows that there are significant differences between Mrs. Sen’s form of clothing and the American way of dressing. It is the cultural norms, beliefs and values which motivate immigrants to preserve their culture (Tong 562). Baharati is less conservative in the mode of dressing while on the other hand Mira and Mrs. Sen are very conservative to the Indian way of dressing. Baharati’s form of clothing does not depict the Indian identity but rather the American identity. This is a form of cultural rebellion which characterized some immigrants (Ahadi and Rogelio 848). Mira and Mrs. Sen maintain the Indian identity through their clothing because they feel obliged to maintain their culture. The conservative nature of the two women stems from the fear of betraying their ethnic values and beliefs (Khanna 59). B. Marriage The attitudes and choices related to marriage among immigrants are culturally instigated (Tong 563). Baharati and Mira used to express the same views or opinions about marriage when they were back in India. However their viewpoints on marriage differed when they reached America. Mira retained her Indian viewpoints of marriage when she arrived in America. This is depicted by the fact that she married an Indian student from Wayne State University. Baharati’s views on Marriage are Americanized. This is revealed by the fact that she decided to marry a fellow student regardless of the fact that he was not of Indian origin, but an American whose parents were Canadian. It is therefore evident that Baharati’s views on marriage were based on the fact that you do not have to marry someone from your own ethnic background. On the other hand Mira believed that she had to marry someone who is Indian like her. It is evident that Baharati was prepared for the emotional strain that would result from marrying someone who was not from her own ethnicity (Baharati 274). Mrs. Sen was similar to Mira on her views on marriage. For instance, her husband Mr. Sen is from her own ethnic background. Mrs. Sen also maintained her cultural behavior and views on Marriage just like Mira. This is because she introduces her husband as if they were distantly acquainted. Most immigrants from the east demonstrate a preservative culture and therefore no not show emotional connection in public (Khanna 55). C. Friendship Immigrants who have been Americanized find it easy to make American friends than those who conserve their culture (Ahadi and Rogelio 854). For example, Baharati’s Americanized ways makes her comfortable with American friends. This is unlike Mira and Mrs. Sen who do not seem to fit to the American views on friendship. Baharati and Mira have significant differences in the manner in which they would prefer to interact with Americans. The fact that Mira clings to her citizenship as an Indian demonstrates that she would prefer Indian friends. For instance, she points out that she would prefer to return back to India after her retirement. Mrs. Sen is similar to Mira because she does not seem to associate much with Americans. Mrs. Sen’s conservative cultural behaviors, such as the manner in which they take their tea, reveal that she would be conformable with people from her own culture. Immigrants who preserve their culture exhibit it in all their life activities, including eating, friendship and other forms of social interaction (Tong 568). Mrs. Sen is also less outgoing. She does not have a driver’s license and spends most of her time at home. Mrs. Sen’s thoughts about friendship are related to her home country. When she says home, she meant India rather than America where she stayed (Lahiri 113). This means that she would prefer friends from her home country rather America. It is therefore evident that on one hand Baharati would prefer to interact with America while on the other hand Mira and Mrs. Sen would prefer to intact with India. Therefore Baharati has fit with the American way of friendship while Mira and Mrs. Sen have not. Mira and Mrs. Sen maintain friendship with their own because they do not erase their Indian nature. Baharati is convinced that Mira pities her for the erasure of her Indian nature. Part II A. Marriage and Friendship The positive views of Baharati on being American make her want to live like an expatriate and therefore she interacts professionally and socially with Americans. On the other hand, the negative views of Mira on being America have caused her to prefer being an immigrant rather than an expatriate. Researchers point out that the cultural views of immigrants affect the manner in which they interact with Americans (Ahadi and Rogelio 847). Baharati demonstrates that she has adopted the American way of association. Her positive views have enabled her to interact more with Americans. On the other hand, Mira and Mrs. Sen have kept their roots. This reveals that her negative views on marriage makes them less accommodating to Americans. The views of Mira and Baharati about friendship and marriage are different. Mira thinks that Baharati has lack of structure in her life and therefore she pities her. The positive views of Baharati on being America have also allowed her to have a wider perspective on marriage and friendship. Her wider perspective on marriage is seen when she marries an America with Canadian origin. Mira chose to marry an Indian regardless of the fact that he had American friends. What she saw in her husband is the Indian origin. This depicts the difference between Mira and Baharati in terms of friendship and marriage. Mira prefers to associate and marry people that would be approved by her parents. This is due to the need of immigrants to remain loyal to their social values (Tong 564). On the other hand, Baharati thinks that she would marry anybody that she wanted to, regardless of what her parents thinks. This reveals that the different views of these women on being America have significantly affected their marriage and friendship processes. Because of the positive views of Baharati on being America, she has a more diverse friendship experience. On the other hand, Mira and Mrs. Sen’s experiences in friendship are limited. This is the reason why Baharati thinks that Mira’s perspective is narrow because it is limited to the Indian ways of association and marriage. B. Learning Language Immigrants are mandated to learn the English language, so that they can get jobs in America (Khanna 52). Baharati, Mira and Mrs. Sen are able to speak in English. The positive and negative views of being America seem to have not affected their learning language. This is because they need the language in order to associate and work. Baharati and Mira are professionals and have attained desirable level of education. Regardless of Mira’s negative views on being America she learned the English language well and she is good at her teaching job. As Mrs. Sen talks to Elliot’s mother, it is evident that she would speak English well. This makes her work for Americans regardless of her negative views on being America. C. Keeping Original Clothing and Views Clothing is an important aspect of culture which preservative immigrants use to demonstrate their loyalty to their cultural values, behaviors and norms (Tong 570). Baharati did not keep the original Indian clothing because she has adopted the American way of dressing. Positive views on being American motivate immigrants to dress the American way (Khanna 54). Mrs. Sen has a negative view of being American. Mrs. Sen and her husband kept their original clothing as a reminder of their culture. This is depicted by the realization that they do not were shoes but rather flip-flops. This is due to the fact that they think that following the American way of dressing would erode their culture. Mrs. Sen’s clothing was brought from India because of their negative views on being American or dressing like an American. Like Mrs. Sen. Mira kept her conservative clothing which depicts the Indian culture. Immigrants who seek to preserve their culture often demonstrate negative views on the American culture (Khanna 56). Mira’s negative views on America are shown when she feels that she has been used by the manipulative American government. This is related to the laws on the benefits of legal immigrants. Mira thinks that Baharati maintains a superficial pop culture. This depicts her negative views about being American and adhering to the superficial culture. It is therefore because of this that she keeps the original clothing which represents her culture. It is evident that Mrs. Sen has a very high level of self consciousness. This is an attribute which characterizes most conservative immigrants (Tong 567). It is because of this that Mrs. Sen kept the original clothing, which would make her look decent and respectful. Baharati also thinks that Mira has a high level of self consciousness. This makes her similar to Mrs. Sen on how their negative views have motivated their need to keep original dressing. Conclusion The differences among Baharati, Mira and Mrs. Sen are seen on the manner in which they view being American, dressing, marriage and friendship. These differences emanate on the need to preserve the Indian culture by Mira and Mrs. Sen. Baharati’s Americanization has made her different from her friend Mira. From these stories, it is apparent that the manner in which an individual views culture and language affects his or her self consciousness and how they related with other people. The conservative nature that Mira and Mrs. Sen demonstrate is motivated by the need to stay loyal to their culture. Because Baharati did not want to have a narrow perspective to life, she chooses a path that is different from the two women. Baharati’s marriage and form of dressing is different from the two women because of the differences on cultural views and the need to change. Works Cited Ahadi, Stephan, and Rogelio, Puente-Díaz. "Acculturation, Personality, and Psychological Adjustment." Psychological Reports 109.3 (2011): 842-862 Retrieved from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?sid=8bc532d0-6b0c-4274-b290-c7f4516b7b05%40sessionmgr4003&vid=1&hid=4105&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=bth&AN=70451831 Khanna, Anchal. "Working With Asian Indian American Families: A Delphi Study." Journal of Systemic Therapies 28.1 (2009): 52-71 Retrieved from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?sid=4a3afbcd-f758-4e0c-89a5-1f92c1708adb%40sessionmgr4001&vid=1&hid=4105&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=39234919 Lahiri, Jhumpa. Interpreter of Maladies Stories. Mariner Books. 1999. Print Mukherjee, Baharati. Two Ways to Belong In America. New Yolk Times. Print Tong, Yuying. "Acculturation, Gender Disparity, and the Sexual Behavior of Asian American Youth." Journal of Sex Research 50.6 (2013): 560-573. 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