I was born in Indonesia and I have lived in the US for 8 years now. I like it here and I don't have any intention of moving back, even though all of my family members are still there. I have been going through cultural adjustment and in a way, I am getting americanized. I found myself distant from people of my country and at the same time, I'm not really "American". However, I have more tendency to adapt myself to become an american, rather than learning deeper about my own roots because I think I need to adapt in the environment that I'm living in. Also, I have this complexion of making myself better, because it's hard to deny that America is the world's benchmark and I tend to view that life back home is inferior. I often ask myself, "If I don't even love myself for being who I actually am, can I actually be a good and complete person?" I am afraid that abandoning what has been a part of me will make me empty and vain. What do you think?
2007-01-18 05:53:29 · 8 answers · asked by 21questions 4 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Inferior is referring to the necessity living in a third world country to deal with worse public system, lower education level, less urgency in people to advance in career, and all other situation that explain why the country is not developing and thus it is not encouraging for an individual to be better. If the life there is not "inferior", why do you think there are way more immigrants moving into developed countries, rather than the otherwise??
2007-01-18 06:23:43 · update #1
no.
it's important to remember and respect where you came from, but by immigrating, you're probably just trying to make a better life for yourself. you should feel bad about looking out for your own well being, after all, if you don't, who will?
2007-01-18 06:04:40 · answer #1 · answered by johnnyDRAMA 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
America is a wonderful country but unfortunately there are people here who unless you embody the typical American stereotype they will not make you feel American. My father is an immigrant I was born here an American and certainly don't feel as though others see me that way. So what I would tell you is don't put yourself down for being who you are. The foods, our family our traditions are what reminds us of our roots. So don't forget them. And don't look at life back home as inferior. Because it is not ,it is your culture it is your people. Be proud of where you came from and continue to live your dreams in America.
2007-01-18 14:16:02 · answer #2 · answered by mora fan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You haven't abandoned anything. You have just changed direction. Do you have any idea how many people are born in one country then move at some point to another? You relate leaving your country to not loving yourself for who you really are... this too is incorrect. Who you really are is based on a number of factors, including the influence being born and rasied in Indonesia had on you. But you are not the country and the country is not you. You are growing and changing and you are right to do that. Stop putting yourself down. Good for you for moving ahead in life, in whatever form that takes. :)
2007-01-18 14:04:41 · answer #3 · answered by Debbie B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A telling phrase is "If I don't even love myself for being who I actually am..." How do you define yourself? By where your ancestors came from? By your genes? By what you do and how you treat other people?
I enjoy learning about my ancestors, etc. But I don't define myself by them. Who I am is what I do, what I know, what I say.
Are the "American" traits you find yourself taking on making you a better person? If you don't think so, then don't accept them. If you do think so, then don't worry about it.
2007-01-18 14:06:37 · answer #4 · answered by Faeldaz M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it means that you're abandoning your roots. It means To enter and settle in a country or region to which one is not native. But your roots will always be within you. You aren't doing anything wrong by moving.
2007-01-25 19:59:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
same here man im from pueto rico and my mom moved here in the u.s before i was born because of that i dont know to much about my spanish /latin roots i miss that place everyday even though i never got a chance to really live there
2007-01-24 19:40:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just remember you are more fortunate than your fellow countryman by the opportunities bestowed to you.
2007-01-23 10:54:36 · answer #7 · answered by pnn177 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes. so please do not go.
2007-01-24 18:38:54 · answer #8 · answered by user name 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋