American Culture Vs Indian Culture Essay

I am an Indian-American, and my parents constantly ensure that I don’t forget the “Indian” part. My parents both migrated to America, eventually making their way to California where they met, and where I was born. Because they were raised back in Punjab, India, I grew up with neverending stories starting with “When I was your age, I had to …” in an effort to make me more appreciative of how much easier life is in America. My mom’s favorite line is “Why can’t you clean your room? When I was your age, I had to sweep the whole house every morning before school.” While I often question the extent of truthfulness in some of these stories, others can sometimes eye-opening, such as “When I was your age, my parents were halfway around the world and I had to look after my younger siblings until we could join them.”
Whether it is through the sharing of such stories, or through the incorporation of Punjabi language, food, clothing, music, and art into our lives, my parents have constantly been teaching my sister and I about our culture since we could talk. They often …show more content…
Punjabi culture has its root in traditions dating back to the onset of the 18th Century, while American culture has been constantly evolving with the introduction of an increasingly diverse population. My sister and I were able to grow up enjoying the warm glow of several vibrant tealight candles spread all throughout the house for Diwali, while also hearing the lively chatter in a full house of relatives preparing to share a warm meal on Thanksgiving two weeks later. We learned about and cherished our own culture, while still celebrating and appreciating American culture. As a result, I don’t really belong to one side or another. My life has been a combination ideals coming from the nation of my ancestry and the nation of my