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Written by Annette Sharma, Migrant Coordinator, Student Services, Canberra Institute of Technology
If resilience is strengthened through a sense of belonging or connectedness, how do we foster this connectedness in teenagers from culturally diverse backgrounds who are growing up in an environment with a different set of values to those of their parents?
Many parents from culturally diverse backgrounds particularly those of more traditional cultures, will make a concerted effort to preserve something of their foundations and the traditions that have moulded behaviour for centuries if not millennia in their home country. This is particularly the case when parents have positive memories about the past, and are not having regular contact with how things are changing in their homeland. Their children, however, are being influenced by the cultural norms of their current situation and are often desperate to blend into the mainstream so as not to appear to be odd or out of touch with modern society.
A cultural "tug of war" between preserving traditions and keeping up with modern life is common in many homes of migrants and refugees in Australia. However, much of the tension can be relieved by approaching the issue with a broader and more balanced approach, rather than seeing it in terms of a conflict.
The metaphor that I have found useful both in my work and in my personal life is that of building a second storey onto an existing home. This is useful both for migrants starting a new life in Australia (at any age) and also for children of migrants. The picture is one of retaining the traditional culture or original culture of origin, as the foundation for further growth. Everyone who has ever extended their home would know that the extending phase requires planning in terms of what you add and also some knocking down of some structures that prevent additions from being added successfully. A good design will blend in well with the original and retain some of the characteristic features as well. All extensions need a staircase to ensure that there is movement between the 2 storeys and resources can be carried from one area to the other.
It is exactly the same with cultures. You don't need to knock down the original house (or set of cultural values) and start again. There might need to be some minor adjustments or compromises to accommodate new values but it is quite possible to add a new set of values (especially with a positive outlook). The resources of each area have a place and can even be of more value when they are carried into the other area (skills developed or lessons learnt in the new culture can be of great value in the old culture, and visa versa). Individuals who have learnt to be flexible in this way thrive with the understanding and benefits of multicultural influences and avoid unnecessary conflict. Many learn that "belonging" can be celebrated across a wonderful spectrum of cultures within the one individual!
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