Born In One World, Living In Another

 

A look at the conflicts 2nd generation Indian-Americans face between them and their 1st generation counterparts.

 

By: Dimitry S. and Shaina S. 

Section: A-2

 

 

 

First generation Indian American parents are faced with the task of creating Indian culture in the United States for their second-generation children, many of whom have never lived in India. Second-generation Indian Americans have identities that are situated across two “worlds.” They have to comply with both their historical/cultural backgrounds and the American counterpart. For many, this can be very difficult. From the perspective of most 2^nd generation Indian-American students, it is quite challenging to fulfill/satisfy both their Indian parents and their friends from school. They are pressured to ‘Americanize’ themselves but are held down by their parents, being the ‘cultural authority,’ so to speak. We picked this topic because we thought it was one of the most fitting to portray the tug of war between modern and traditional Indians. Additionally, Since our topic examines not only Indian culture but also American, our piers/fellow classmates would easily be able to relate to our topic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are Indian parents at their home in America. Though they are living in America, they are still preserving their Indian roots by wearing traditional Indian clothing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

This is a modern 2nd generation Indian American teen. As we can see, outside of the house, she is completely westernized, but at home, around her parents, she is probably more traditional.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dialogue

 

 

 

 

Mo (Mokesh) –High school student, born and raised in America

 

 

 

Avantika (Mom) –Indian mom, born and raised in India, moved to America after marriage

 

 

Subhash (Dad) –Indian dad, born and raised in India, moved to America after marriage

 

 

Mo strolls in house with iPod playing, 30 minutes late.

 

 

 

Avantika: Where have you been? Huh? I have been sitting here waiting for you forever!

 

 

Mo: Ohhh, I was just chilling with some guys after school.  Sorry Ma.

 

 

Avantika: Oh I see, you were chilling? While I was sitting here so worried!! NOT acceptable! You can go sit in the garage for the hour that you were late. And take that music nonsense out of your ears. What is this Little Vain and Acorn nonsense you are always listening to???

 

 

Mo: Mom! Its AKON and lil’ wayne…. And no way am I going in the garage! I got stuff to do you know.

 

 

Avantika: I don’t care! All this instant message business and hanging around all these girls in small small clothing is messing around with your grades! Go to the garage!

 

 

Mo: Gah! Fine I’m gone!

 

 

Mo goes to garage and sits for around 45 min. when he is called back in by his mom.

 

 

 

Avantika: I want to see the homework that you did when you were outside.  You should be almost done by now its 7:00. In India, we had to work so much harder than you kids. We were learning what you are learning now, in 7^th grade! And you know?  It takes a lot of work and effort to get where we are today.  Unlike you, everything was not handed to us.

 

 

Mo: You never said I had to do any homework….  I didn’t even take my backpack out with me….And can you PLEASE stop talking about India. I get it already! You are so irritating!

 

 

Avantika: Don’t you dare talk to me like that! You know if I ever even started to talk to my mom like that…. Ohhh your nerve

 

 

Subhash walks in from work.

 

 

Subhash: Hi! How are you Mokesh? How was school?

 

 

Avantika: Don’t speak to him. He is being so rude and ill mannered! First he comes in late, and now he is disrespecting me.  How did we raise such a boy?

 

 

Mo: Dad! I didn’t do anything!  Just let me go do my work….

 

 

Subhash: What Mokesh?  You need to be more respectful of your mom….

 

 

Avantika:  You know?  His grades are slipping. Something is distracting him. We should turn off this AIM and no more “hanging out.”

 

 

Mo: NO WAY!  Are you serious? I have ONE B+.  Chill out!  Its not my fault that Zangle is your homepage! I’m working on it.

 

 

Subhash: B+? B+? OH god.  I need some chai.

 

 

Subhash exits muttering to himself.

 

 

 

Avantika: Go do your homeowork!  Stop wasting all this time…how do you ever expect to get into medical school? Mokesh? Are you even listening?

 

 

Mo: ITS MO! Not Mokesh. And yea I heard you.  I have to go do my homework. Bye.

 

 

Avantika: Mokesh is such a nice name.  And fine, go do your work. I’ll call you down when dinner is ready.  Bye. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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