Centipede Dragon
  • About
  • Events
  • Crafts
  • Where to buy
  • Contact
  • Medical art

It really is all about family

2/22/2016

0 Comments

 
Asian family tree
As the lunar new year holiday concluded this past weekend, I will conclude this series talking about Asian families. Many perceived differences come in the ways we express or apply our values which, in and of themselves, are universally similar.

The Asian family hierarchy begins with the oldest generation. These members are the most revered, because of the wisdom they often hold in the years of life they have acquired. I think we all can agree that the older we get, the smarter we get. Therefore, during holidays and other family celebrations, the oldest members of the family are paid respect in the form of a prayer and offering, and are given whether they are alive or have passed on.

The nuclear family consists of parents and their children, and each member has certain expectations and obligations to the other.

Parents protect, advocate for, and give their children the personal tools needed to succeed. Parents must be their children’s educators, their protectors, their guidance counselors; in effect, their job is to arm them with the coping skills they will need to live independently in a very complex world. The perception of Asian culture is that of harshness and that Asian parents only value success. While it’s true that Asians value success, when looking at it from a different perspective, it is also true that they simply do not believe it is in their child’s power to FAIL.

Children in return are expected to contribute to the family by behaving, listening, and helping out where possible. Children should be respectful of their parents, not take for granted what is given, and should work hard for the opportunities their parents are giving them.

Asian families are frankly like any family. We fight amongst ourselves, and sometimes don’t even like each other. What is inherent is that every generation interacts and is involved in family dynamics to move the family forward into the future. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

Happy New Year everyone! May the year of the monkey bring us all good luck, good health, prosperity, and good food!

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Alice Y. Chen

    is the author of Centipede Dragon A Benevolent Creature, the first of a series of children's picture books for ages 3-7 (and up).

    Archives

    December 2020
    October 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    November 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.