Haitian Culture Essay

1267 Words3 Pages

The two cultures that I identify myself with Haitian culture and American culture. The American culture is more dominant and I identify myself most with this culture. Although I was born in Haiti and Haitian culture was once my dominant culture, it is now my co-culture. Nonetheless, a combination of these two cultures would be Haitian-American culture. People who are part of the Haitian-American culture, like myself, are either born in Haiti and moved to the U.S. and have assimilate to the American culture or were born in the U.S. and have parent who were originally from Haiti. I was born in Haiti and raised in the U.S. I can relate to other people, female and male, who were also born in Haiti and have moved to the U.S at a young age. Members …show more content…

I come from a small family whose members include my immediate family. Like most Haitian-American living in my region, religion is a fundamental part of my upbringing. I was practically raised in a church and attended church three times a week as a child. Members of my church acted as parents to me and my sister and disciplined me with my mother consent. They played an active role in my upbringing and shaped my norms and taught me was considered appropriate and inappropriate. For example, I was taught to kiss adults and elders on the cheek when saying hello. I was told that I couldn’t address adults by their first name, and most importantly I was taught to always bite my tongue and always respect my …show more content…

They are passed down from generation to generation. When it comes to Hosfstede’s cultural dimensions theory, specifically power distance, my culture values large-power distance. In a family setting, children are expected to obey their parents. The value of respect between unequal status members in the family is taught at a young age. Parents and grandparents assume the authority roles in the family decision-making process. People are taught from one generation to the next to respect and obey the authorities. Figure of authorities don’t just mean those who work in the government. In a school setting, teachers and administrators are also considered authorities. Generally, anyone who is in a higher position than us is an authority figure. At school, teachers are highly respected and it’s considered impolite to question the authority of the

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