Identity and immigrants Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Identity and immigrants - Essay Example Sen’s form of clothing and the American way of dressing. It is the cultural norms, beliefs and values which motivate immigrants to preserve their culture (Tong 562). Baharati is less conservative in the mode of dressing while on the other hand Mira and Mrs. Sen are very conservative to the Indian way of dressing. Baharati’s form of clothing does not depict the Indian identity but rather the American identity. This is a form of cultural rebellion which characterized some immigrants (Ahadi and Rogelio 848). Mira and Mrs. Sen maintain the Indian identity through their clothing because they feel obliged to maintain their culture. The conservative nature of the two women stems from the fear of betraying their ethnic values and beliefs (Khanna 59). The attitudes and choices related to marriage among immigrants are culturally instigated (Tong 563). Baharati and Mira used to express the same views or opinions about marriage when they were back in India. However their viewpoints on marriage differed when they reached America. Mira retained her Indian viewpoints of marriage when she arrived in America. This is depicted by the fact that she married an Indian student from Wayne State University. Baharati’s views on Marriage are Americanized. This is revealed by the fact that she decided to marry a fellow student regardless of the fact that he was not of Indian origin, but an American whose parents were Canadian. It is therefore evident that Baharati’s views on marriage were based on the fact that you do not have to marry someone from your own ethnic background. On the other hand Mira believed that she had to marry someone who is Indian like her. It is evident that Baharati was prepared for the emotional strain that wou ld result from marrying someone who was not from her own ethnicity (Baharati 274). Mrs. Sen was similar to Mira on her views on marriage. For instance, her husband Mr. Sen is from her own ethnic background. Mrs. Sen also maintained her