Kids Are Our Future

“Take in the essence and throw away the dross”

We mentioned that for new immigrants, they need follow the rule, “Do in Rome as Rome does” in the previous post, however, we still think that in the same time, immigrants should stick to the principle, which is “take in the essence and throw away the dross”. Namely, try to fit in without selling out. While we all struggle with “fitting in” for the entirety of our lives, we do have our own believes and principles.

Strong family values help immigrant children grow up stronger

Growing up most immigrant children encountered the obstacles of poverty and minority status, such as the need to work, the constant reminder that they were outsiders. However, strong family values helped them focus on the opportunities and mental toughness to overcome the obstacles. Within immigrant family, they feel rich in health, blessed with life and challenged by their parents to be decent, hard-working people, which turn into great motivators.

Family obligation motivates immigrant children to achieve

One of the top reasons for immigrants regardless of their educational level, financial standing, or country of origin, to come to the United States is a desire to provide better educational and economic opportunities to their families and children. Most of the children in immigrant families are well aware of their parents’ motivations for coming to the United States, and by the time they reach adolescence, they acknowledge their parents’ efforts and sacrifices, and use these as sources of motivation for trying to succeed in American society.

Family obligation is defined as a collection of values and behaviors related to the children’s provision of support, assistance, and respect to their parents, siblings, and other family members. These norms of children assisting the family exist within the cultural traditions of many immigrants’ native countries, and they act as a very significant role as immigrant families attempt to adapt to a new and different society.

Motivate them to be valuable to their family

Children from immigrant families expressed a strong sense of obligation to support, assist, and respect the family. They feel strongly about helping their families and believe it is an important aspect of their immigrant and cultural heritage, which motivates them to work hard and be valuable to their family.

Motivate them to well-being

American society emphasizes on individuality and independence, which is very important to a child who becomes a grown up as an individual, not being dependent on their parents. While I think that we are human being who is social animal, we need help each other whenever we need help from others. When a family member needs help, we definitely need to help him or her, it is our responsibility. I believe this value and want to pass this value to my children wherever they are. A sense of obligation to the family can motivate children to well-being, to be kind and responsible person who can make a meaningful contribution to others.

By the research results, it has been consistently found that those with a greater sense of obligation to the family reported more positive psychological well-being and self-esteem, because adolescents and young adults feel that they play a valuable and important role in the family.

Motivate them to academic achievement

Most of us agree that nowadays college attendance is mandatory requirement for having a good job. Most contemporary immigrant parents understand it and have high educational aspirations for their children and emphasize the importance of doing well in school.

As a result, family obligation is a critical source of the strong academic motivation of immigrant children. For example, many of them believe that doing well in school is the best way for them to succeed as an adult. Research also shows that across immigrant groups from a variety of countries and ethnic backgrounds, students indicate a desire to do well in school in order to help their families and support them in the future.

Because children’s sense of obligation to their immigrant families affects their adaptation and adjustment in the United States and it also motivates them to their overall well-being, be a responsible person, achieve academically and achieve in their whole life. I strongly believe that immigrant family should pass the culture and value heritage of children assisting the family to their next generation.

The family is the strongest team

In order to survive and thrive in the new and different society, the family should work as a team, help each other, parents and children of immigrants should constantly learn and work hard. I believe with the priceless love between parents and their children, immigrant parents and children will succeed in the new society.

Related Posts

1. How Parents and Children of Immigrant Families Learn and Assimilate Into the New Country?
2. The Challenge Immigrant Family Face
3. How to Help Immigrant Children to Achieve?
4. Family Education and Cultural Values
5. How can Parents Help Children to Prepare for College?
6. Teach Kids Common Values
7. What is Family Education for you?