The best way to know more about American Family is to go for a homestay at American house or ask Americans about their family. From my observation and conversations with Americans, they love their family members. Yet, they are independent when they reach the age of 18.
Throughout their school year (elementary to high school), they live with their parents. When going to college or university, they will choose to move out from their house and stay in University dorm or a rented house which is close to campus. For me, I did the same thing as Americans do. I am kind of following American's ways. When I graduated from high school, I picked up a college which provides me scholarships and not too far from my home. It was TAR College, Penang which is 2hours drive from my hometown. I rented a house off campus and I knew that I was going to be independent when my parents sent me to college.
A majority of American students will try to earn tuition fees themselves, so do I. I went in to a college which provides me 75% discount on tuition fees when I graduated from High School. I was trying to be independent and not going to rely on my parents. Although they are more than afford to send me to private college, I did not go for it! This is because I just want to be independent! I was influenced by my sisters who are more independent than I do.
My American friends will talk to their mother more than their father on cell phone. This is exactly the same situation as mine. Some of them will write letter to their grandmother. However, I would never write letter to my grandmothers because they are illiterate. I will follow my mother whenever she is going to visit my grandmother.
A majority of Americans have a big family and they will organize family reunion party once a year in summer. Besides, they will gather together during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Wedding. For me, my family and relatives will gather together during Chinese New Year, Wedding, Ching Ming Festival (Festival for Tending Graves), and Elderly’s (Grandfather or Grandmother) birthday party.
The only difference that I found is the equality in the family. Husband and wife are equal partners. They share the household duties together if both of them go to work and earn some earnings for the family. This is so much different as in my family. My father is a businessman and he is the key person in the family. He is the only one who earns money and supports the whole family. When my father comes home from work, my mother is a good housewife who is obedient to my father. She takes good care of my father and us (her children) when we were young. We have a happy family though. Anyway, parts of the household duties are done by my house maid and it is to minimize the workload of my mom. Sometimes, my mother is responsible for household duties whereas my father is responsible for the maintenance of cars, electricity and furniture. It is very rare to see my daddy taking a broom and clean the floor.
As a teenager, we need to learn how to be independent in order to strive for success with our bare hands. For me, I would not expect anything from my parents unless they were willing to give me. I would try my best to do the best to achieve my dreams.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hi Kristen!
ReplyDeleteWow, I was really surprised when I read that your parents do not share the housework! You know, in Austria it is the same, so male and female both take over responsibilities in the household! I mean, to me it seems right to do so, because why should a woman do all the household on her own? Men and Women are supposed to be treated equally and therefore I think that it won't hurt when men help in the household too..! :-) What is your personal opinion about that? Do u want your future husband to take over responsibilities in your household or will u do that on your own? (or hire somebody??)
Best wishes!
EngHwa, Will your sisters work outside the home once they are married? Will your wife work outside the home or do you want a wife that works at home. For me, I wanted to stay home when my children were young and I did. When I was at home I did most of the housework because it seemed only fair since my husband was working outside the home. Now that our children are grown and both my husband and I work outside the home, we share in a lot of the housework. My husband usually makes my breakfast and often packs my lunch. He's a great guy. Oh and this week he mopped the kitchen floor. As you can see we don't have a maid.
ReplyDelete