Im Asian, Filipina to be more precise (and to the some people who tell me Filipinos aren't really Asian, go check your map, I'm pretty sure the Philippines is one of the islands of Asia.). I live in all-white community here in the United States, New York. It is hard to keep up with all these Asian customs when I've grown up with non-Asians, but I do manage and my parents are also key to this. One thing in Asia where I think is such a huge difference are the households. Some American Asians families may have already accustomed to the American way, but most are still as traditional as can be.
In America, it's really encouraged to be yourself and express what you want. Some Americans could deny this, but it's more welcomed here than it is in Asia. All my best friends-well, all my friends are white and we always go out and hang out with eachother. For them, they can go hang out with ease, for me I have to be lectured for about two hours before I leave the house. This is an exact scenario:
"Hey mom, can I go to the movies with my friends?" I asked.
My mom turned around to look at me. "First clean the house and your room. You think you can just go out like this?! You should tell me before next time! I dont want you to act like a slut in public, I know you, don't be all over the boys like that. That's trash. You're going to act like a slut i know it."
This is probably a general thing also, but the way I get lectured for this is terrible. The movies is only 20 minutes away too. And please, me? Acting slutty? I don't even know how to flirt! But yeah, that's what I have to go through before I can go out.
One things are how they respond to they're parents. Americans, of course like any civilian, are taught with respect. But for them, they are allowed more freedom and, like i said, it's encouraged. They're allowed to talk to their parents like a casual friend and sometimes they're even allowed to talk back. Talking back in the Asian culture is basically signing up for your own death penalty. Asian children are NEVER allowed to say talk back, NEVER. If American children get some sort of discipline, Asian children will get 20x that. Basically, the teachings are 'My word is law' for parents in the Asian culture. Discipline is also a big thing in the Asian culture. Americans might probably get spanked when they're young and as they get older, they resort to less severe punishments. While as, for Asians, it's basically live or die. Our discipline is really severe, comparing to the American culture's. So, whenever I see my friends talk back to their parents, and their parents shrug it off, I cringe sometimes. And eventually they're style rubs off on me, having me always be the one getting into trouble in my family.
Now, I've seen and heard some ethnic jokes about how Asian parents are so strict on their children's education. I'd love to get more into education in the Oriental culture, but i'll save that for another rainy day. But usually I would hear something about Asian parents being overly-strict on their children for getting an A- on their tests or whatever. As though it may seem a little over-exaggerated, I find it very accurate in the Asian culture. Of course, not the child getting an A- on a test, but more of most Asian parents strive for perfection with their children. In the Asian culture, it's all about pride, status, honor, and respect really. It can range from mental to physical. It's not much of the parents faults, they were raised in this way of culture.
To say that the Asian culture is strict is very, very accurate. But of course, I try not to generalize for both the Americans or the Asian culture. I just find that the Western(American) culture is more expressed and free while as the Asian culture is very limited and all about respect. Of course, personally, this doesn't do so well for me. Im exposed to both cultures within the same time period, and both cultures rubbing on me doesn't do so well in my household. Especially since my mother was raised in a strict environment. It's really hard to keep up with both cultures, but hey, I try.
-Shay Lynn
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