The 2030 census is coming up: What will you do?
The statements made by Ruth, Victor, and Jason give insight into the cultural differences in Egyptian Americans’ view of family. Ruth takes her insight from a children’s perspective in her relationship with her parents. She felt it was hard to explain to others how obedience is enforced more strictly within her Egyptian household in comparison to her peers, who haven’t grown up in with similar family attitudes and values. These values put an emphasis on taking care of each other, even at the expense of what is more convenient for the individual.
Uncle Victor and Jason take the perspective of family in a new light and emphasize families living together until marriage. Jason notes that in America, children might move out of their parent's homes when they are 18. Uncle Victor similarly states that kids move out with their partner even before marriage in America. However, their observations are in direct contrast with how they understand children moving out of their parent’s homes to be. Both Uncle Victor and Jason mention that men and women move out of their parent's house when they get married, and there is very little deviation from this timeline, as Uncle Victor describes. Jason also goes on to explain that children, once they are married and grown, will often have their parents move back in with them and will care for their parents.
Ruth expresses family as respect and obedience to parents. Jason and Victor explain family as sticking together throughout life stages, with children moving out later in their 20s or 30s when they get married, but caring for their parents as they grow old. These individuals share an understanding of what family means to them, noting the differences in how the concept of family may be interpreted by others and America.
By: Rachelle Bishay