why do immigrants want to follow their own culture more

simply simple

I always wonder why do immigrants want to keep their culture alive when they are not in their mother country. they tend to be more strict in following it then the one who lives back there in thier country

i m not trying to criticize any body,just curious what will be the reason..okay they might be missing their hometown but why are they strict towards their kids as well to make them follow that culture more then the culture of the country they are now living?
i myself am an immigrant here in ireland and also do so,just dont know why i m doing so :rolleyes:
immigrants can be from any country to any other country,not just immigrants to ireland

Otis Driftwood

Because they are proud of their roots?

Because they want to hold onto their heritage?

Pretty stupid question tbh.

RonMexico

If you do it and don't know why, how the hell are we supposed to know?

The King of Moo

I've lived away from Ireland for extended periods twice, and even though I'm normally not in the least bit patriotic, being away from the oul' sod inevitably makes one more fond of it.

Also, it's perfectly possible to maintain parts of one's original culture and be a perfectly-integrated constructive citizen of your new home.

Pacifist Pigeon

I think pride in something one did not create is a highly fallacious sentiment. If people had less of these sentiments, there would be less ethnic conflicts and wars.

Biggins

simply simple wrote: »

Why do immigrants want to follow their own culture more?

If you seriously, really have to ask that question, I doubt you would understand the answer!

TeddyTedson

Because it's their own culture ! ! !

simply simple

in more detail to my thoughts,i would say,usually people immigrate to other country for a better life, so for better life you are ready to leave your country and culture and go somewhere else but u still try to keep it alive where u have gone
what psychology works behind this?

Badgermonkey

simply simple wrote: »

why are they strict towards their kids as well to make them follow that culture more then the culture of the country they are now living?

Urban drunk teen-sluts ain't a great advertisement for assimilation.

Hijabs for all I say.

The King of Moo

simply simple wrote: »

in more detail to my thoughts,i would say,usually people immigrate to other country for a better life, so for better life you are ready to leave your country and culture and go somewhere else but u still try to keep it alive where u have gone
what psychology works behind this?

Because even though life might be better in the new country, they probably didn't completely hate their home country, and were probably at least a little reluctant to leave.

4zn76tysfajdxp

simply simple wrote: »

I always wonder why do immigrants want to keep their culture alive when they are not in their mother country. they tend to be more strict in following it then the one who lives back there in thier country

i m not trying to criticize any body,just curious what will be the reason..okay they might be missing their hometown but why are they strict towards their kids as well to make them follow that culture more then the culture of the country they are now living?
i myself am an immigrant here in ireland and also do so,just dont know why i m doing so :rolleyes:
immigrants can be from any country to any other country,not just immigrants to ireland

'cause it's familiar and it reminds them of what they're missing.

Biggins

simply simple wrote: »

in more detail to my thoughts,i would say,usually people immigrate to other country for a better life, so for better life you are ready to leave your country and culture and go somewhere else but u still try to keep it alive where u have gone
what psychology works behind this?

Just because you want a better life, doesn't mean you have to sacrifice up your original national identity and culture!
One can move to another country and still maintain traditions while fitting in also with the rules and ways too of one's new adopted state!

You are what your culture has made you, not what you walk into as you cross a border!
Why would you want to forget or sacrifice your background!
I can't believe you don't get that!

*sigh*

aaronjumper

simply simple wrote: »

. . .i would say,usually people immigrate to other country for a better life, so for better life you are ready to leave your country and culture and go somewhere else. . .

They probably leave their country because they have no choice, due to lack of jobs, want better for their family etc. etc. However that does not mean they hate their country. They want to keep their culture with them because that is all they have left after uprooting themselves from their home.

BraziliaNZ

oh god, I smell a "I hate Irish bars and people who go to Australia for a year and hang out with other Irish people" situation.

aaronjumper

BraziliaNZ wrote: »

oh god, I smell a "I hate Irish bars and people who go to Australia for a year and hang out with other Irish people" situation.

You can smell all that through your monitor? You should join a canine drug unit with that nose

simply simple

but this culture love is sometimes hard for kids as they are born n brought up in the new country and parents are trying hard to teach their culture,why? u love your culture but your kids culture is the new country as they are born there,why try hard to teach then your culture,some does this to an extent that kids rebel against their parents and their culture

biko

Just because you moved somewhere else doesn't mean you'll give up half your identity. In fact certain aspects of the old culture will probably become stronger.
It depends on two factors I think, 1) how willing you are to adopt the new country's values "as is" and 2) if you live among the host population and have many new friends or if you stick with living with other from your old country and don't make new friends.

Biggins

simply simple wrote: »

but this culture love is sometimes hard for kids as they are born n brought up in the new country and parents are trying hard to teach their culture,why? u love your culture but your kids culture is the new country as they are born there,why try hard to teach then your culture,some does this to an extent that kids rebel against their parents and their culture

In the end, if you don't understand where your coming from (historically, socially and geographically alone), one (according to some experts) sometimes finds it hard to understand where one is going or wants to go in the future as regards mental and social development, besides integration into society and finding ones own place in it.
This is not rocket science!

The King of Moo

simply simple wrote: »

but this culture love is sometimes hard for kids as they are born n brought up in the new country and parents are trying hard to teach their culture,why? u love your culture but your kids culture is the new country as they are born there,why try hard to teach then your culture,some does this to an extent that kids rebel against their parents and their culture

I think kids are able to maintain a complex identity based on two nationalities though, and only get confused or angry if people try to impose a single identity on them.

It used to always happen here (maybe still does) to kids who were part-Irish and part-British in some way, especially if they moved back and forth between Ireland and Britain. In a few cases I know of, in Britain they'd be the Irish kids and here they'd be the fecking English kids.
But they'd be perfectly happy to be a bit Irish and a bit Irish, maybe more of one than the other, and never understood why people would try to force them into being one or the other.

simply simple

It used to always happen here (maybe still does) to kids who were part-Irish and part-British in some way, especially if they moved back and forth between Ireland and Britain. In a few cases I know of, in Britain they'd be the Irish kids and here they'd be the fecking English kids.
But they'd be perfectly happy to be a bit Irish and a bit Irish, maybe more of one than the other, and never understood why people would try to force them into being one or the other.

exactly what stops people from understanding this?

strobe

Change is scary.

The King of Moo

simply simple wrote: »

exactly what stops people from understanding this?

I think it's to do with old-fashioned older people who are used to only coming across people like them, especially here where most older people didn't see anyone from another culture.

But thankfully people are more willing to accept more complex identities these days, especially younger people who grow up with people of different ethnic backgrounds and get used to it.
I think lots of Irish kids have no problem seeing their friends as both English or Nigerian or Chinese and Irish too.

EGAR

I am not Irish, I do not adhere to my *own culture* because I am not overly fond of it and it was one of the main reasons why I left my home country. However, I lived in another country before I moved to Ireland, so I have travelled quite a lot and do not seem myself as a citizen of x y z.

My son was born here, he is raised like any other kid around here (minus the religious upbringing).

No big deal.

KeithAFC

Just the way we role...

St.Spodo

We Irish, as a people, are famous for that. Our ancestors who emegrated to America were often keen to be seen as hyphenated Americans. If anyone should be complaining about this, it shouldn't really be us.

ejmaztec

Immigrants have to remind themselves of the country that couldn't support them, so that they can go back one day and kick someone up the arse.

girl in the striped socks

Never really thought of it tbh.
However Luke Kelly's version of Song for Ireland does make me feel patriotic & a bit teary eyed

wyndhurst

simply simple wrote: »

in more detail to my thoughts,i would say,usually people immigrate to other country for a better life, so for better life you are ready to leave your country and culture and go somewhere else but u still try to keep it alive where u have gone
what psychology works behind this?

You should really start by understanding the difference between "immigrate" (immigration) and emigrate before asking the more profound & deeper questions.:rolleyes:

simply simple

but back in your own mother country people are eager to know your life in your immigrated country.an 'american return' is always popular back in their country,so if people in your own country are happy to see this change why arent the one who immigrates happy to see this in their kids or themself?

EGAR

ejmaztec wrote: »

Immigrants have to remind themselves of the country that couldn't support them, so that they can go back one day and kick someone up the arse.

Not every person leaves for monetary reasons.

Irish Guitarist

There was something on Nationwide a few days ago about an immigrant to Ireland. I didn't watch the whole segment but from what I saw he was from somewhere in Africa and was proud of his roots but also loved Ireland and had learned to speak Irish fluently. He was in a recording studio wearing a tribal headdress while singing an African song and suddenly decided to start singing in Irish. He seemed interesting.

simply simple

wyndhurst wrote: »

You should really start by understanding the difference between "immigrate" (immigration) and emigrate before asking the more profound & deeper questions.:rolleyes:

the part u have quoted should say emigrate,yes
well the question fits well for both of them i guess

Terry

People keep their own cultures going in foreign countries for the same reason people delude themselves into believing that saying a prayer will cure HIV or cancer or the common cold.
Comfort.

You can buy Kerrygold butter in China, just like Polish people can buy Pork based products that should taste nice, but really taste like crap here in Ireland.

It works out well until foreign people insulate themselves from the natives. Then you get ghetto culture and it all goes to hell due to innate fear of the unknown.

There's no harm in assimilating and keeping part of your own cultural identity. Most people won't do that though.


On a side note, someone mentioned Irish bars and Australia.
I can understand that if you're there long term, but why go to Lanzarote (or similar) for two weeks and spend all your time in Irish bars?
Just book a holiday in the farthest Irish city from your home and do the same ****ing thing.

People suck.

Terry

simply simple wrote: »

the part u have quoted should say emigrate,yes
well the question fits well for both of them i guess

Please don't use text speak or I will be forced to mock you.

Irish Guitarist

I went to Cyprus a few years ago and it was like a sunnier version of England. It was full of English pubs with English people inside them watching football and cheering on Manchester United.

Lawrence1895

Tricky question there, but I would say, that home sickness plays a vital part as well.

token101

Terry wrote: »

People keep their own cultures going in foreign countries for the same reason people delude themselves into believing that saying a prayer will cure HIV or cancer or the common cold.
Comfort.

You can buy Kerrygold butter in China, just like Polish people can buy Pork based products that should taste nice, but really taste like crap here in Ireland.

It works out well until foreign people insulate themselves from the natives. Then you get ghetto culture and it all goes to hell due to innate fear of the unknown.

There's no harm in assimilating and keeping part of your own cultural identity. Most people won't do that though.


On a side note, someone mentioned Irish bars and Australia.
I can understand that if you're there long term, but why go to Lanzarote (or similar) for two weeks and spend all your time in Irish bars?
Just book a holiday in the farthest Irish city from your home and do the same ****ing thing.

People suck.

Because it's that or the English bars and it's the lesser of two evils.

pickarooney

Time was the immigrants in America would fight for the right to be called American and disown their old flag in favour of the Stars and Stripes. A generation later and their kids do the opposite.

Marcin_diy

I don't enjoy going to the pub every second evening drinking buckets of beer and I don't like to run naked and drunk on cold weekend nights in the city centre. (see dub city centre streets after 9pm)
why should i stick to Irish culture*?


*don't take it too serious. smile and take it easy. we all know that pubs and drinks is only a smal part of Irish culture.:-)

The King of Moo

Marcin_diy wrote: »

I don't enjoy going to the pub every second evening drinking buckets of beer and I don't like to run naked and drunk on cold weekend nights in the city centre. (see dub city centre streets after 9pm)
why should i stick to Irish culture*?


*don't take it too serious. smile and take it easy. we all know that pubs and drinks is only a smal part of Irish culture.:-)

You're right.

There's nightclubs too! :P

MIN2511

I have mates who are in Oz, Canada and England and all they do is go to Irish pubs! They have 'Irish parties' and socialise with Irish people.
It's pathetic and I tell them all the time, I'm not Irish and I integrated when I moved to Ireland. "When you go to Rome, do as the ROMANS!"

ihsb

I was brought up in England as a second generation Irish. I loved coming over here... always supported Ireland. Watch hurling and the rest. I cannot explain why, it was just a connection I always felt. And when I moved over it was like I came home. Even though I wasn't born here. I barely miss England at all even though that is where I have spent most of my life.

southsiderosie

simply simple wrote: »

but this culture love is sometimes hard for kids as they are born n brought up in the new country and parents are trying hard to teach their culture,why? u love your culture but your kids culture is the new country as they are born there,why try hard to teach then your culture,some does this to an extent that kids rebel against their parents and their culture

Well when it comes to language, many parents want their children to be able to speak the language of their home country, in part so they can communicate with relatives, and maintain those connections. No matter how hard parents try though, language almost always dies out by the third generation.

St.Spodo wrote: »

We Irish, as a people, are famous for that. Our ancestors who emegrated to America were often keen to be seen as hyphenated Americans. If anyone should be complaining about this, it shouldn't really be us.

Hm, not necessarily. The Irish were treated as a distinct ethnic group, by virtue of both their low socio-economic status and their Catholicism - especially in New England. So this wasn't really a choice.

Third and fourth-generation Irish people in the US have picked up hyphenated identity, Irish dance, etc., but that doesn't mean they don't see themselves as Americans.

RichieC

It's probably a lot like how when muppets go on holidays they wear GAA Jerseys and sling an Irish flag over the balcony.

Johnny Foreigner

simply simple wrote: »

I always wonder why do immigrants want to keep their culture alive when they are not in their mother country. they tend to be more strict in following it then the one who lives back there in thier country

i m not trying to criticize any body,just curious what will be the reason..okay they might be missing their hometown but why are they strict towards their kids as well to make them follow that culture more then the culture of the country they are now living?
i myself am an immigrant here in ireland and also do so,just dont know why i m doing so :rolleyes:
immigrants can be from any country to any other country,not just immigrants to ireland

Not always the case.
Some do, some don't.
My parents emigrated from Ireland to London in 1960.
They became very Anglicised quickly in order to fit in. My mother was a Republican Catholic but even she enjoyed watching the Queens speech on Christmas day which I found bizarre as a child. They embraced many things about British culture and many of my parents Irish family married English people and settled there.
I was born in London and moved back to Ireland 3 years ago. I was brought up as Irish and love Irish culture. I have no desire to hang on to the British culture I left behind.
Having experienced the two cultures, I prefer Irish culture as I never felt British, or that I belonged to Britain as my parents were Irish.
Its personal preference and how you feel in the country you emigrate to.
A lot depends on if you choose to emigrate to a country, or are forced to in the case of many asylum seekers and refugees.
If you choose, then you leave your old life and culture behind. But if you are forced, you may feel homesick and cling to your old culture.

Rhys Essien

OP, There is thing next month called Paddys Day which is celebrated in a lot of places around the world whether they like it or not.

jluv

Do we want people to totally drop their culture and ways,yet if I went to another country and came back to Ireland speaking with a different accent and behaving differently they would be saying"who does she think she is"
I lived in another country and really enjoyed discovering different culture but because they wanted to learn mine also it made me "a little more irish" if you know what I mean. Because they were interested I think it made me that more proud to be Irish.
So maybe some people here are interested in the other nationalities culture and their curiosity makes the person proud of their ways...

Johnny Foreigner

ihsb wrote: »

I was brought up in England as a second generation Irish. I loved coming over here... always supported Ireland. Watch hurling and the rest. I cannot explain why, it was just a connection I always felt. And when I moved over it was like I came home. Even though I wasn't born here. I barely miss England at all even though that is where I have spent most of my life.

I know exactly what you mean.
I am London-Irish and feel exactly the same.
I never felt I belonged in England, I always felt Irish.
We are an ethnic minority, part of the Irish diaspora of immigrant children who grew up with a hybrid hypenated identity; a mixture of the two cultures.
But unlike American-Irish we couldn't call ourselves British-Irish due to the Troubles, and the history of conflict between Britain and Ireland.
Our parents brought us up believing in the utopia they felt homesick for, and so we never felt we belonged and returned.
Its common for children of the diaspora to become political and polarised when they return. For example take hard line political views like Republicanism, this is so they feel a sense of belonging to a group. It fills the gap of feeling displaced from their home.
The problem we have as hybrids is that we only feel Irish when we are accepted by the Irish born.
During Italia 90 I experienced prejudice from Dubliner's and was called a plastic paddy for supporting the Republic of Ireland. I then pointed out that half the team were born in England, and I was as Irish as they were.
I then asked the man abusing me why he was wearing Liverpool football shirt if he hated the English so much? He shut up then.

Sunnyisland

I lived abroad for 12 years,it takes a while before we integrate our own beliefs with our new ones,personally I found ways to exist with both cultures and became very proud of my own Irishness while not disrespecting my new one,Some people who have children would become alarmed if there children start to lose there language and culture and object to them adapting the mainstream culture of there new country as a lot of children will forget and reject that, so they start just being with like minded people of there own culture and wont mix or integrate and end up creating ghettos.

John Doe1

1. You are an idiot
2. You are a troll
3. New york, 1850's,-Irish immigrants

ihsb

Johnny Foreigner wrote: »

I know exactly what you mean.
I am London-Irish and feel exactly the same.
I never felt I belonged in England, I always felt Irish.
We are an ethnic minority, part of the Irish diaspora of immigrant children who grew up with a hybrid hypenated identity; a mixture of the two cultures.
But unlike American-Irish we couldn't call ourselves British-Irish due to the Troubles, and the history of conflict between Britain and Ireland.
Our parents brought us up believing in the utopia they felt homesick for, and so we never felt we belonged and returned.
Its common for children of the diaspora to become political and polarised when they return. For example take hard line political views like Republicanism, this is so they feel a sense of belonging to a group. It fills the gap of feeling displaced from their home.
The problem we have as hybrids is that we only feel Irish when we are accepted by the Irish born.
During Italia 90 I experienced prejudice from Dubliner's and was called a plastic paddy for supporting the Republic of Ireland. I then pointed out that half the team were born in England, and I was as Irish as they were.
I then asked the man abusing me why he was wearing Liverpool football shirt if he hated the English so much? He shut up then.

I get the same whenever I say I am Irish or when I say I support Kilkenny in hurling. They think that I don't have a right to support the team I do. I say the same as you in response about them supporting English teams. It is great over here though!

Of course not in all countries but I think that a lot of cultures that miss their homeland are cultures that have experienced war and oppression. I don't have much to back this one up but just what I was thinking.