Cultural Conflict

Introduction

The U.S. is a melting pot, or a society that was formed by many different immigrant cultures, ethnic groups and religions that produced a new, hybrid culture: American. Most Americans celebrate many different types of holidays and customs that were started in other countries, eat a wide variety of ethnic foods and have started several new traditions. First-generation Americans can face many struggles when trying to assimilate to the new culture while attempting to respect and maintain their family's traditions, language and culture at the same time. Sometimes the differences between two cultures can create conflicts both within and outside of the family unit. (Cullen: 121)

The U.S. is a modern country that relies on technology and an advanced infrastructure. While there is no one single set of American family values that all American families live by, there are some common threads that outsiders often observe among the majority of Americans. These aspects are not absolutes, but rather an observation that Americans exhibit these values to a higher degree (such as being more independent and more competitive) than many other cultures in the world. According to the former director of International Programs at San Francisco State University, the American family culture has many unique facets:

Many Americans find material possessions and money important

Americans tend to live independently and can be seen as self-centric, such as on issues of healthcare

Most Americans communicate directly, honestly and informally with their families, friends and colleagues

Americans are quite competitive compared to other cultures

Change, rather than sticking with tradition, is perceived by many Americans as positive improvement

Discussion

Some of these American qualities conflict with cultures that place family as the top priority and feature a stay-at-home parent. In the U.S., it is relatively common for both parents to work, and American women are equal partners in marriage. Some Middle Eastern cultures have very specific male and female roles, which conflict with the typical U.S. gender roles as well.

In the U.S., marriage is typically based on love and couples choose their own spouses. It is also quite common for couples to date for long periods and even live together before getting married. These aspects can create major conflicts for first-generation Americans whose parents are much more conservative and traditional. For example, in many cultures, parents arrange the marriage, which is based on family status and needs. Adult children are expected to marry within their social class, and some do not even meet their future spouses before the wedding. Another area of conflict is interracial dating. Many cultures, including some American families, want their children to date and marry another who is from the same cultural or religious background and will go as far as excommunicating family members who dare to date or marry someone different.

While the U.S. is a melting pot, many Americans classify themselves as Christians. While Catholicism and Judaism are practiced widely, other religions, such as Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam are not as widespread. Immigrants who practice these types of religions may ...