Family culture is an essential aspect that binds generations together and shapes our identities. It is the values, traditions, beliefs, and practices that are passed down from one generation to another. However, as time progresses, these aspects of family culture evolve and change.

The older relative I interviewed for this project is my grandmother, who is in her late 80s. She grew up in a small village in the countryside and has seen significant changes in family culture over the years. During the interview, she shared her insights on various aspects of family culture that have altered from her generation to mine and the reasons behind these alterations.

One of the main aspects of family culture that my grandmother highlighted was the role of women in the family. In her generation, women were primarily responsible for taking care of the household and raising children. They were expected to be obedient and submissive to their husbands. However, in my generation, women are more empowered and have equal rights and opportunities than men. They are no longer confined to traditional gender roles and have the freedom to pursue their careers and interests. This shift in gender roles has led to greater gender equality and empowerment of women in society.

Another aspect of family culture that my grandmother discussed was the importance of extended family relationships. In her generation, families lived in close-knit communities where relatives would often gather for family events and celebrations. There was a strong sense of kinship and support among family members. However, in my generation, with the rise of nuclear families and urbanization, extended family relationships have become less significant. Families are more dispersed, and people rely more on friendships and social networks for support. This change has both positive and negative implications, as it can lead to greater independence but also a sense of isolation and loneliness.

Furthermore, my grandmother also pointed out the shift in traditional values and norms in family culture. In her generation, there was a strong emphasis on respect for elders, obedience to authority, and adherence to cultural traditions. However, in my generation, there is a greater emphasis on individualism, self-expression, and personal fulfillment. Younger generations are more likely to challenge traditional norms and values and seek new paths in life. This change in values has led to greater diversity and inclusivity in family culture but also some loss of traditional values and customs.

Overall, the alterations in family culture from older generations to younger generations can be attributed to various factors, including social, economic, and technological changes. As society evolves, so do our values, beliefs, and practices. It is essential to recognize and understand these changes to navigate the complexities of family life in the modern world.

In conclusion, the interview with my grandmother has provided valuable insights into the alterations in family culture from her generation to mine. Through her experiences and perspectives, I have gained a deeper understanding of the reasons behind these alterations and the impact they have on our lives. Family culture is a dynamic and evolving aspect of society that reflects the changing times. It is important to embrace these changes while also preserving the core values and traditions that bind us together as a family. As we look towards the future, it is crucial to continue exploring and discussing these alterations in family culture to ensure the well-being and unity of future generations.

Me: Grandma, Can I get your help with one of my projects?
Grandmother: What kind of project?
Me: I just have to ask you some questions and record your answers.
Grandmother: Yes you can ask me questions and I’ll do my best to answer.
Me: Where did you grow up?
Grandmother: I grew up in a small village in the countryside.
Me: What were the many different cultures that you all would follow back then?
Grandmother: Back then we were primarily responsible for taking care of the household and raising children. We were expected to be obedient and submissive to our husbands. Families would live in close-knit communities where relatives would often gather for family events and celebrations. There was a strong sense of kinship and support among family members. There was also a strong emphasis on respect for elders, obedience to authority, and adherence to cultural traditions.
Me: Do you feel it’s different today compared to back then?
Grandmother: Women are more empowered and have equal rights and opportunities than men. They are no longer confined to traditional gender roles and have the freedom to pursue their careers and interests. Nowadays Families are more dispersed, and people rely more on friendships and social networks for support. They believe that their friends can understand them better than their own family which is lonely actually. Also, so many younger people don’t respect their elders anymore.
Me: I’m sorry to hear your dissatisfaction. But that was all of the questions that I wanted to ask you so thank you for answering my questions.
Grandmother: It’s all very fine. Glad I was able to help you with your studies

I think this assignment was interesting for me as this assignment made me go back to past and recount my experiences of learning the English language. Those experiences are like a lesson to me and guides me on my path.

Mark Biswas

Professor Lobell

Freshman Composition

03/04/2024

I was raised and born in Bangladesh. So, the first language that I learned was Bangla. My parents weren’t that great in English, so they didn’t teach it to me. When I was little my father bought me a computer. The computer system was in English language and all the games were also on English. So, I had learned English mainly from playing games and watching English movies. I was able to speak and understand English way better than my classmates. Even the English teachers wouldn’t speak English that well. Whenever they would ask how I can speak English so well and understand it I would just tell them that I learned it from games. They wouldn’t believe me and say that it’s not true. But it was the truth. I would use voice chat in online games and practice my English speaking with foreigners. While I would play single player games to understand English. When me and my family was moving to the United States, I finally thought to myself that I can use my English skills here where it was the main language. My parents still struggle with understanding and speaking English so they would bring me with them most of the time for important stuff so I can explain to them in Bangla. Even in my high school here I was able to speak English better than many people who were born and raised here. Obviously, they would be surprised too when I tell them that I learned English not by studying but instead playing games. People would also speak in different accents of English so I wouldn’t understand them sometimes. I didn’t know that there were so many different types of English speaking. I guess I still have a lot to learn. I am still trying my best everyday to adapt better to life here. My parents still think that playing games won’t do me much, but I think otherwise. Playing games helped me develop my English and my life easier in the States. Every experience is valuable and useful in different cases. So even if it’s not useful today but someday it will be. You never know when that experience can help you out one day.

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