The Musings Of An Opinionated Sod [Help Me Grow!]

I think the gap between 3rd and 4th gen is where it moves from practice to understanding. It’s different for everyone though, and religious based culture has a much stronger half life (you would expect 4th gen Muslim immigrants to hold a stronger sense of religious heritage than cultural heritage).

what makes you think it takes 3 generations to understand, rob m? understand what, btw? and what is it with the muslim immigrants? i dont understand.

to nikos point… i know balkan ppl who still call it home, some dont (mostly younger ones), for various reasons. some could go there often, but dont like the memories. some like to go there for holidays, because it is a home, its where they grew up, and they own land and rebuilt their houses… etc…

well, societies/cultures/individuals/whatevs are always evolving. you didnt tell me why you think it takes 3 generations… so far, i think it is not possible to pin down timelines for the cultural/individual development of groups of people, that got nothing more in common than moving to another country, and why it would take a specific (and fairly long) amount of time for people until they understand and respect what their cultural, religious heritage and origin is. and isnt heritage always something new for a new generation.

you probably didnt mean it that way… but in no way would i consider all people, who practice islam / were born into a muslim environment, a homogenous group that sticks to religion come what may. same goes for christians, jews, bahais, maasai etc.pp. you can find conservatives, reformists, agnositcs, atheists, practicioners of every shade, non-practicioners, and whatever else everywhere. on a related note, im quite happy so many people voted for prop 8. not because i supported it. i would have voted against it… but because in my opinion, it shows how much even a (secular) country like the united states, or california to be specific, is very much religiously shaped, and doesnt look so free and liberal. i do think lived religion influences lived culture and vice versa. and to the point of religion… i said it before somewhere… if you believe in a divine energy or whatever you want to call it, or not, you still believe. id argue even an atheist is participating in a concept of religion… anyway…

when it comes to strength/form of cultural heritage… i think it would be interesting to have a closer look on how being distant from your ‘home’ makes you cling to cultural aspects / elements as a means to build your identity, especially if you do not feel very welcome in the environment you live in. its surely nicer to associate yourself with positive and steady thoughts/memories than somewhat negative realities… reasons for emigration probably might have another part in the puzzle… not that i would know what all the others are… i think its very complex and hard to comprehend. after giving some thought to that stuff, i know my brain is a giant cluster fuck now and i need a big dose of coffee, sugar and saying hi to my mum to get back to somewhat normal lol ttyl

I think you mis-interpreted my point.

My comment was about how heritage can fade when people emigrate to other cultures.

My point on understanding is this:

1st gen immigrant: Still practice all of the cultural elements from place of birth

2nd gen: Brought up with parents culture as part of everyday life. Practice many cultural elements but not as tightly or devotetly as parents. (Religious practice an exception)

3rd gen/4th: Brought up with heritage as part of everyday life, but practice not enforced. However parents make sure they learn and understand the heritage even if they don’t practice it.

I see this in my family (mother in law from Hong Kong) and in friends of other cultures (Muslim / Australian / Thai)