Second Generation Interview
I interviewed my co-worker, who is a 25 years old Cuban-American named Andres Amadeo. Andres’s parents immigrated to America from Cuba about 42 years ago. However, the background of Cuba is still prevalent in his life of family today. He told that he was born in America, but his parents were born in Cuba, and he considered himself as Cuban, though he was proud of being an American. He mentioned that he liked his Cuban roots. He said that he was very happy to be Cuban as he could speak two languages, and he had knowledge of two cultures, and also he is familiar of the manner in which he was raised. He mentioned that overall Cuban people are nice. He mentioned that his parents came to the United States, and after 4 years of their stay in the United States he was born. Andres was raised in accordance with Cuban values. Lifestyle of Cubans is different from Americans in a way that Cubans like music, dance, and they are conscious about their dress and food. But, this is not the case with Americans because America is a diverse nation, in which there are several sub-cultures as well as religions that form cultural norms of America. The way of life in the United States is monochronic as people follow strict timetable and they also like to commit for engagements. But, the culture is polychromic in Cuba, where rigid schedules or timetables are not followed. Collectivist views are dominating in Cuba. Life in Cuba is not a luxurious life, but it is luxurious in the United States.
Younger person is, however, upwardly mobile as previously the family of interviewee was having a low status, but after coming to the United States they attained higher status in the society. Andres told that his parents raised him and his siblings in accordance with cultural and traditional values of Cuba. Parents used certain strategies for raising their children such as they used to spoke Spanish, which is language of Cuba, and taught common religious principles so that children spend their life in accordance with them. They adopted strategies in order to make children capable of differentiating between good and bad, advantageous or harmful. Andres was of the view that it is because of his parents’ teachings that he is living life in a smooth manner. He also said that he was taught that sharing happiness is life is important instead of collecting wealth, and he still believes on this fact. He mentioned that even on his work he made everyone happy, and after office hours, he and his friends used to dance, and make fun in accordance with cultural values of Cuba. Parental expectations are there children do not consider others inferior, they do not categorize people on basis of status, rather consider every person same, and should treat all people in same manner. They expect that their children know the fact that every person is important for expressing life as we are familiar with it. I also consider myself a second generation immigrant because my parents have migrated from other country, and I also have association with my country’s religion and cultural aspects, but I also love the present country in which I am living. As a matter of fact, things that are taught by my parents are allowing me to led life in an effective manner.
