The ‘New’ Old World

August 11, 2008

By Maria Lamagna
<mlamagna@hilite.org>

Sophomore Rithvi Melanta learned a lesson in globalization at a young age. She moved from India to the United States when she was 6 years old. In India, she and her family practiced numerous traditions tied to their religion and culture. After immigrating, however, Melanta and her family made a few changes to their native culture.

“When I first moved, it was very different here. We’ve learned so much but kept many of the old traditions up and alive,” Melanta said.

For many, the word “globalization” brings several images to mind. It’s Starbucks and McDonald’s on every street corner in Tokyo. It’s Wal-Mart in Moscow. It’s immigration.

In truth, these are all examples of globalization. Amanda Holman teaches about this concept extensively in AP Human Geography. She defined globalization as “the world becoming interdependent.” She said it can happen through cultural exchange, trade or politics, among other ways world culture spreads.

According to a New York Times article this year, America experienced the highest level of immigration in its history from 2000 to 2007. Today, one in eight people living in this country is an immigrant. These foreign-born citizens add their culture to the American “melting pot,” but in the process, often become Americanized themselves. Old traditions can quickly be replaced by aspects of modern culture.

Melanta and her family have made a conscious effort to maintain their Indian tradition. Melanta and her family speak English in their home. However, while she still practices Hinduism, Melanta eats meat and other restricted foods.

This is an example of Americanization at work. In fact, Melanta said that if she still lived in India, she would most likely have an arranged marriage like her parents.
Melanta’s experience is similar to that of other immigrants to the United States. There can be a conflict of interest between old world values and “new world” trends, like conventional American teenage
dating.

Counselor Maria Cottone said the Americanized teenager may be resistant to their parents’ tradition.

“There can be negative effects with anything imposed on a teenager, especially with something like arranged marriage which has such obvious lifelong consequences,” Cottone said.

On the positive side, Cottone said that traditional values can have relevance for the Americanized teenagers, whether they realize it at first or not.

“For arranged marriages, for example, the couple goes into it knowing they have to make it work,” Cottone said. “That actually might be a refreshing mindset.”

Under the right circumstances, both Holman and Cottone said that Americanized families can maintain their heritage. Holman said that preserving traditional culture in America is definitely possible.

“I think (tradition) still can (survive), depending on the value placed on it,” she said. “I’m sure it’s more difficult, like with arranged marriage, when it’s easier to see the other options available here. But if the culture values that, then it will persist.”

Cottone said that the key is the children’s desire to carry many old world traditions forward into more modern surroundings.

She said, “Tradition may be there for children who have grown up submerged in that lifestyle.

“But when they have been socialized in the U.S., there could be battles there. The first generation may be willing to swallow tradition, but the second generation might fight it tooth and nail.”
Melanta said that though she has been immersed in the American lifestyle, she is still interested in staying true to her Indian heritage and her “old world.” She said that she wants her own children to appreciate all the benefits India has to offer.

“It’s still my culture,” she said. “I still want to teach (my future children) all of that.”

Updated by dayin · Filed Under Front Page, News 

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