American Born Middle Eastern Children - Research Paper Example

American Born Middle Eastern Children Introduction The US is one of the most assorted countries in the globe. This is in terms of the nation and ethnic factions. In addition, it is an economic powerhouse. Although, there are some other rising powers like Russia and China, it is noteworthy that America is far beyond their rich in terms of the composition of people. With such a diverse population of different races and ethnic groups, the USA has experienced many cultures. Some of these cultures have worked to potentiate these economic effects while some have worked to their disadvantage (Cromwell 2008). It is composed of six races, which have been officially acknowledged. This population consists of mostly people with the European descent. The largest groups of this descent have their ancestors mostly from United Kingdom, Germany and Ireland. The African Americans forms the largest racial minority community whose parentage may be of US, African, or Caribbean. This paper will, thus focus, on Arab American children, to be able to find out how these children are able to safeguard their customs and at the same time live the American lifestyle by looking at the parent child relationships and culture differences. Arab Americans The Arab Americans are component of the Asian group that is one of the six officially recognised races of the US. These people have their origins in the Middle Eastern region. This region encompasses the Far East, South East Asia and South Asia. Some other areas of their descent include Morocco and Egypt (Schur 2004). According to (Schur 2004), this group forms almost 4.5 percent of the US population. Many people have to live with the reality that we are embedded in families, communities and culture. American is a multiculturalism country and one can easily get mixed up and lost in a place of so many cultures. A child’s family plays a key role in their development. With a lot of prejudice on the Arab culture, a child can easily be swallowed in the jaws of the more embraced cultures ignoring their own. One should keenly scrutinize their own personal prejudices and biases to enhance their cultural competence. The Arab American grows up bilingual. Although US use English as the Official language, an Arab child still manages to embrace their native language. They are mostly dual language speakers, which they develop mainly because of their Muslim religion. The Muslim religion is taught in Arabic (Khalaf 2009).This is a significant considering the current diversity in population’s races and cultural groups. Most of these Arab Americans have established in California State. Some live in Hawaii and other urban centres (Schur 2004). This settlement in leading cities is ascribed to the actuality that most of them being immigrants, they came here to look for greener pastures, as well as, security. This is because; the regions of their origin are not developed. Another factor is that, the Middle East region is prone to crisis given their Muslim religion (Nabhan 2008). These fights in the Arab world that stems from jihadist movement has resulted into instability kneading to people fleeing, from danger, to secure peace in the United states. This group consists of mainly immigrants or children of immigrants from the Middle East region. Even if, it might seem that this is a recent addition to America’s racial groups, Chinese, Philippine, and Japanese has been noted to immigrate to the US in the late 19th century (Cromwell 2008). It is believed that this immigration from Asia has resulted into a great effect on the west coast of America. This is, in addition to creating a dominantly, Asian neighbourhood in many popular cities of America (Georges 2010). However, most Arab Americans were born in America. Although the Arab civilization seems to be the oldest on the globe, it is still misunderstood in most parts of the US. Their culture, language and religion have undeniably discernible qualities that present themselves in varied ways. This is reflected in the way they put more importance on family values and culture. It is also reflected in their day-to-day involvements, and how they nurture their young ones into the adults they want them to become (Georges 2010). However, this has led to the increased resistance from the American culture who gives significance to their way of life. However, these ways are extremely essential in cementing the connection of Arabs to differentiate them from the rest (Kayyali 2006). An Arab child in America has to deal negative stereotypes that may disorient them morally. Americans have stereotypes and perceptions of Arabs whom they view as terrorists especially after September 11th 2001. This stereotyping may affect a young child who is not even aware why other kids always pick on him. The young child is subjected to endless and mean words because he is of Arabic Origin and a Muslim. Sometimes the children find it to fit in because of such bias that they are left to mingle among themselves in a country enjoying the diversity of culture. Parent –child relationship Anderson (2007) explains that toilet training for Middle East children starts exceptionally early in their childhood development. This is usually due to the American standards and the need to try to cope with the American way of life (Nabhan 2008). This is the reason Arab American mothers have an ample time for their children throughout training the child, to use the toilet, as well as, during weaning time. This is the reason most of these Middle East mothers, seem to be chattier, understanding, and loving with their babies (Dale and Foy 2010). This is a rare occurring in other cultures. However, as (Khalaf 2009) puts it, this has both constructive and downbeat effects to the baby. Even if, many children require this tender care and love for their psychological and social development, it is better if it is not in excess. Children under these conditions tend to be more apprehensive than others when separated from their parents when they start schooling (Ferris and Stein 2008). However, the affirmative side of this tender love carries more weight to it than the negative side of it. When these children grow up there, parents tend to involve them more with family. This usually reduces their involvement with their age mates. However, this is contrary to many American kids who utilize more of their time with their age mates. Therefore, this means that, when children are not in school, they are supposed to be with their parents (Ferris and Stein 2008). This is thus a strategy to enable parents to be able to instil in the children their preferred way of life, which is aimed at preserving their culture (Khalaf 2009). This is because by practising this, parents are able to reduce the interferences in their children lives that would draw them away from their culture. (Khalaf 2009) asserts that education is the soul of culture. This is in the way it can be passed from one person to the other. Therefore, schools exist to advance the society by ensuring that the young get to know, have an understanding and appreciate the central ideas and morals that make the society they live. Even though, most of the American schools teach the American way of doing things, it tries to teach some other histories of let us say China and India (Kayyali 2006). However, this is so little in helping the Arab American children preserve their treasured culture. The Arab culture allows for sharing of responsibilities not only by parents but by also the extended family. This, therefore, indicates that the existence of numerous authority figures is a common phenomenon where parents are for all children and children for all parents (Khalaf 2009). In addition, the males are given more preference than females because when they grow up they are more probable to contribute to society than girls are. These children, therefore, grow with the father as an authoritarian figure and mother on the other side as compassionate and loving (Nabhan 2008). These children are thus obliged to follow each and everything they are taught without questioning or criticizing their behaviour. However, in terms of acceptability, these children are allowed to criticise their behaviour that results into shame and any other behaviour that does not mean the expectations of the society (Kayyali 2006). This implies that they concentrate with the way other people view them as they try, to conform to social pressure. According to (Nabhan 2008), the things that we get to embrace in life emanate from their childhood years. That is why if a child is nurtured with certain principles, he grows up to live knowing what is expected of him by the entire society. This is the reason Arab Americans bringing up their children in these ways that demands of their culture; they are able to grow up in the American way, and at the same time to preserve their culture. This, therefore, indicates that, Arab Americans strongly believe in the family union and the eternal bond that does survive between children and parents. It is thus noteworthy that what seems to bind children to their parent is not biology and economics as in the American culture but love (Dale and Foy 2010). It is thus indispensable to note that friends also play a pivotal role in Arab culture that is why the parents are often strict in how their children chose friends because they believe that friends are for life and not a luxury as portrayed in the American culture (Dale and Foy 2010). Acculturation The progression of adapting to a new culture may involve having the knowledge of the central language and adopting new values and behaviours. This is, however, a walk over because most Arab Americans train their children more than one language, as opposed, to Americans. However, despite this, this group has to preserve its culture and consequently pass it on to newer generations. This is, however, a drop in the ocean for this group for most of them have been known to stick to their cultural values as compared to any other faction in the world. Holding on to their culture is usually of foremost importance to them given the environment they are live. With most people misunderstanding their culture, they are obliged, through all means, to try to prevent their influence on their values. This is the reason most of these Arab Americans always sustain close relation to their extended family, as well as, any other members, who hails from their town of origin (Dale and Foy 2010). It normally ensures persons outside the US but also to any member throughout the globe. This is affected through family and township reunions. This is, in addition to, community, banquets, conventions and festivals (Anderson 2007). With this in place, these Arab American immigrants get to conserve and make merry of their culture and their homelands, in addition to severing ties with, their people back at home. It is no wonder that most immigrants of the Arab American descent are able to retain some of their cultural identity. This includes dress code, language, food, cultural values even after generation s of living in the United States. Studies have determined that, Arabs do find it difficult to adapt into a new system s as equated to other immigrant groups in the United States (Anderson 2007). This is fuelled by the attitude that they are being viewed more as Arabs than Americans. Organisations There is also established organisation in the US whose responsibility is to provide wide-ranging social services to this population. An example is the Arab American family support centre in various cities around America. It was set up, in 1944, to deal with the needs of the Arab Americans through a range of agendas, services and undertakings. It thus functions to give power to the immigrants with the essential tools they require to be able to acclimate in to the world around them. It ensures that Arab American migrant folks and offsprings are provided with full social services. Also in Brooklyn, in 2004, a grant from the United Mrthodist Comitee on Relief (UMCOR) enabled Psychotherapy and Spirituality Institute (PSI) to start a unique outreach program for the Arab community. This was in response to what happened in 2001 attacks. PSI designed a model that worked with the community in a culturally sensitive approach. It even had an Arab speaking psychologist. This was necessitated by the fact that cultural and language barrier and increased isolation of the community many people sough counselling and support. Other organisations include the Catholic Charities that help immigrants legally and Alianza Dominicana Inc, which helps families to overcome poverty and attain citizenship. The Asian American Association concerns itself with helping Asian generations to better their lives in America. Post September 11 motivation The events of the September 11 attacks have emerged to be a high point that will score the commencement of complete globalisation (Kayyali 2006). This is because even though this globalisation process was launched due to the rapid adoption of communication technology, it only came real after this attacks that were mysterious. With the US on the frontline of crusading against Islamic groups who were believed to be behind it, it follows that it has resulted into cultural and linguistic divisions on grounds of religion. US –Arab leadership program This program tends to understand that is required in the forging ahead of business, government, academic and individual associates among the American delegates and their counterparts in the Arab world. This is affected through the creation of both communal and fiscal bridges by exposing this Arab world to the elemental American community and commerce leaders. These leaders, therefore, get to experience the Arab culture from a wider range of both professional and personal backgrounds (Anderson 2007). These leaders in turn get to understand their culture. This collaboration with the local communities of both the American and Arab world, results into increased appreciation of the culture of the Middle East region by Americans. Emerging Leaders Program held by AAI’s National Summit in 2010 was a success with several young people participating. In the summit Arab American professionals and students intermingled and got the chance to learn from prominent figures from the community. Us-Arab leadership program (USALP) gives an opportunity to endorse mutual understanding and form commerce, government, intellectual and personal ties with associates from the Arab World. The [program is supported by participating Arab countries and the USA. In this way, this program acts as a bridge of helping the American non-Arab population to understand, therefore, help to strengthen the relations of these two regions (Dale and Foy 2010). Through this, program is also able to raise the awareness of the role of Arab-American community’s guidance. This is just among many of such initiatives that have come up to embed this Arab culture into the American culture. These leaders are also able to talk to children and motivate them towards valuing their culture and working g towards preserving g it. These children get to understand why there seems to be in a world with different cultures; therefore, this reduces their anxiety when faced with such difficulties (Anderson 2007). Language and cultural identity The preservation of language depends on many factors. It is majorly dependent on the speakers themselves if they find it significant to function at different settings. This includes the possibility of the language being replaced with another language. However, for Arab Americans this is an area that they have capitalized, on to be able to preserve their culture in a nation with the majority of the population speaking English. This has thus served to be an indicator of cohesion and self-importance among the Arab Americans. Challenges for Arab Americans Even though, the Arab Americans count on creating a pan ethnic group, it seems to be ineffective. To them, this is a significant step in trying to prevail over prejudice, which has existed in the American society (Anderson 2007). However, it will be overly optimistic to assume that everyone agrees for the establishment of this plan. According to (Abdulhadi and Naber 2011), there exists many internal divisions about this course of action in creating a pan ethnic identity. They are, therefore, in a predicament of distinctiveness, harmony and vision. This fuelled by their physical distance between them and their homeland as well as the cultural distance between them and their new country, which they term as their future. Another challenge is that, In the US, there exist many issues to do with culture that Arab Americans find so hard to adapt to in the event of trying to preserve their culture (Anderson 2007). These are so controversial to the effect that it is not only difficult for them to accept it but also some selected populations of the US. These issues include gender roles. The way in which the American society goes about the responsibility of females and man, as well as boys and girls seem to violate many of the core values of the Arab American culture. This is because most Arab Americans especially Muslims from rural areas are so conservative than other groups. For them, culture is about dressing, in a modest way and children, to socialise mostly with the same sex and little with the opposite sex (Abdulhadi and Naber 2011). This is in addition, to no dating at all for children and respecting elders. The close relationship existing among the Arab Americans allows some of them to choose marriage partners for their children. However, this is uncommon among the Americans who embrace equality especially with the campaign s against gender equality. This is because such an arrangement only takes effect after the manly partner agrees that it is that girl, he would want to marry (Abdulhadi and Naber 2011). This gives the girl child no say in the love matters thus translating to infringement of rights thus qualifying as an act of gender inequality. Conclusion Arab Americans are thus a rare group in the making. This is in the way they value their culture and hold it close to their heart. Even though, there has been globalisation, it is to their amazement that they have chosen to stick to culture in one of the most developed countries in the world. With challenges ranging from their backwardness view of things in comparison to American culture, it is noteworthy that this population has come from far, and the end has not yet appeared. This is due to the internal subdivisions that are set to distract them from conserving what they have held to for many years despite the tribulations they had to encounter. However, I am of the opinion that if these ethnic minority groups are to face these challenges and come out successful, they have to remain together for the common cause. However, they have started well by trying to help their children grow up embracing the core values of this culture. This is important, for the values have been able to be transmitted to the younger age band thus guaranteeing its continuity. They have also managed this through different programs and services in a bid to enable the Americans appreciate their way of life for peaceful coexistence. References Abdulhadi, R., Alsultany, E., & Naber, N. C. (2011). Arab & Arab American feminisms: gender, violence, & belonging. New York: Syracuse University Press. Anderson, M. D. (2007). Arab Americans. Milwaukee, WI: World Almanac Library. Cromwell, S. (2008). Arab Americans. London: Rourke Pub. Dale, T. M., & Foy, J. J. (2010). Homer Simpson marches on Washington dissent through American popular culture. Lexington, Ky.: University Press of Kentucky. Ferris, K., & Stein, J. (2008). The real world: an introduction to sociology. New York: W.W. Norton. Georges, R. H. (2010). The Chaldeans between religion and politics the struggle of Iraq's ethnic minority and US National Security. New York: San Diego State University]. Kayyali, R. A. (2006). The Arab Americans. New York: Greenwood Press. Khalaf, S. (2009). Arab society and culture: an essential reader. London: Saqi. Nabhan, G. P. (2008). Arab/American: landscape, culture, and cuisine in two great deserts. New York: University of Arizona Press. Schur, J. B. (2004). Arab Americans. San Diego: Lucent Books. Read More