Living in the West or Living in the East

 

 

Topic: 2nd generation Indian/Americans

authors: Daniel L., Hong Y.

 

 

Introduction – Welcome to Hong and Dan’s India tug of war Wikispace. We are here to talk about the contrasts and conflicts between second generation Indians in America and their parents. We chose this topic as our main concern because the most common conflict that 2^nd generation Indian has is the difference between their perspective and their parents’ perspective. For example, they have different ideas of dating. The second generation indian in Amecia mostly thinks that dating is just part of their normal teenagers lives while the first generation parents take it as a very serious matter. Anothr examples would be clothings, marriage, religious view, cultural differences and etc. Through our India Tug of War India pbwiki, you will learn how the second generation and the first generation Indians think differently of these examples i've listed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1802655.cms.

 

   - In this picture, there is an American-Indian familly. The parents are first generation Indian imigrants,

while their children are of the second generation. As seen in this picture, the two children are "Americanized"

while the parents remain traditional. The children have been influenced by the american culture and society, while

their parents remain traditional in their original Indian culture (as seen through the appearances of the familly).

 

 

 

 

http://friendsofindia.com/docs/diwali07/photos/indiatoamerica.jpg

 

    - This picture is also presenting the second generation Indian children and their first generation Indian parents.

As you can see in the picture, two Indian adults are dressed in formal indian clothes while their children who are 'americanized' are dressed

just like normal American children. From this picture, we can easily see the difference between the second generation India in Amercia and first generation parents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dialogue

 

 

 

This dialogue is between a first generation Indian American (born in India) father and his teenage son, who is second generation Indian American.

 

 

 

Siddhartha-the American-born son (2^nd generation American Indian)

Sharat- the India-born father (1^st generation American Indian) he has an Indian accent

 

 

 

Siddhartha- Yo dad what up?

Sharat- What are you saying? Watch your tongue boy do not curse at me! Or somebody will get a hurting real bad.

Siddhartha- No dad I just asked “how is it going?” in slang.

Sharat- Oh okay. But watch your tongue boy, or else you’ll be put out of the Samsara.

Siddhartha- Dad! That is so lame, were in America! Not India! Don’t give me any stupid Dharma lessons.

Sharat- Don’t talk back to me, I’m the superior male in this family. Don’t you dare argue with me. You’re grounded!

Siddhartha- What?! No! But I have to go to a party tonight! It’s Maria’s Sweet Sixteen party!

Sharat- What “Sweet Sixteen Party” garbage?! No! You are not going; you’re going to stay at home doing chores to fulfill your Dharma!

Siddhartha- NO! I have to go to the party! It’s the party of the year! I can’t miss it! Maria will be so mad if I don’t go! I promised her I’d go.

Sharat- Who is this Maria? Is it a girl? Your girlfriend? You know you shouldn’t be associating with girls; you should wait till we find a girl for you to marry.

Siddhartha- What? This is America not India! Please! Try to understand my feelings

Sharat- What feelings? I’m doing this for your own good and your future! This is for your Dharma and Karma. Know what is important! Dharma and Karma not this American garbage!