(Photo Credit: Instagram)
An interesting conversation shared by Instagram influencer Dustin Cheveier has brought up some interesting insights regarding parenting in Indian vs. American culture. In his video available on his Instagram account @dustincheveier, he describes his observations with regards to family dynamics in India.He draws attention to one of the biggest differences between older-generation Indians and Americans, according to him. Dustin states that American parents, at any point in time in their lives, give preference to being financially independent even after reaching their 60s or 70s. According to Dustin, his own parents, who have crossed their 70 years, are saving for themselves in order to be able to look after themselves in the future.
Dustin clarifies that they never expect anything from him and his brother, especially when it comes to matters such as illness or getting old.In the video, he said, “So I would say like a big difference maybe with Indian parents, the older generation, is Indian parents have less money than the kids. So American parents usually have more money than the kids. So it will kind of change a little bit like, say for example, because my dad is 70 or 71, sorry, sorry, dad, I always forget.
70, 71. But like, both my parents right now, they do everything they can to have their savings where they can take care of themselves.
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He further added, “Every family will be a little bit different, but my parents are doing what they can to help themselves in the future and they don’t expect anything from my older brother or I. So I have an older brother, he’s 40, 41. Sorry, Chad. So it’s kind of like, even my dad, like if they were to get sick in the future, they don’t expect me to take care of them.”
The caption of the post read, “Discussing Culture DIfferences Between American and Indians – This is a short from a longer conversation why American culture doesn’t really take care of parents like eastern cultures.”For Indian people, parenting is based on a prolonged process that involves investing emotionally and practically, which means that the connection between the parent and the child does not end in childhood, but rather becomes life-long.
At this point, parents may have to give something up for their kids, and vice versa, expecting some form of assistance from the latter in their old age.In the case of the Western model of parenting, especially as far as the US culture is concerned, there is the emphasis on the need to be independent. In such context, the necessity to plan financially and to be self-reliant and responsible is critical.However, neither of the parenting styles is better or worse. It is simply the question of what each culture puts the most attention to. Nevertheless, discussions of this kind help parents and kids rethink their views of their relationship and respective roles.
