I Am A Third Generation American

I am a second generation Mexican-American and the last of seven children. My siblings and I were born and raised here in the United States with a mix of Mexican and American values. Our parents migrated to the U.S. at an early age in search of the American dream. Both my mother and father left their families in Mexico to start a better life for themselves and their future children.

I’m an American grown up with Mexican roots; with all their traditions, religious beliefs, holidays, and foods. I come from a small town of south Texas, called The Rio Grande Valley, where I live with my average size family. I’ve grown up with my family facing hardships, and flaws yet united always. As time has gone by I’ve come to learn that everything around me has shaped me to be the young lady I am today, and I’m grateful for that.

This class has not only reinforced my cultural beliefs, but it has also challenged some preconceived notions of all cultures. I am a first generation Mexican American. My parents were born in Mexico and came to American 25 years ago. In contrast, I was born and raised in California with my older and younger brother. My brothers and I constantly struggled between two distinctive cultural norms— the Mexican culture, and the American culture. My parents are from a small town called San Juan De Los Lagos in Jalisco, Mexico. San Juan is centered on religion¬– it is the home of La Virgin De San Juan, Henceforth, both of my parents were reinforced with strict religious values. My mother attended an all girls catholic primary school. My father was less fortunate and had to attend public primary school, however, since San Juan is grounded on religion, public schools also integrated reliogious values. My parents constantly compare and complain about the lack of values schools in the Unites States teach in their curriculum. Things like: respect your elders, and proper etiquette skills. Due to stricter boundaries here in the U.S, I can see why integrated such things can become problematic. For example, both of my parents experienced physically getting scolded with a ruler for things like: talking back to professors, being disruptive, and even for having dirty fingernails or a messy appearance. Although my parents were raised in strict catholic environments, they have not reinforced

I am a U.S. born citizen. My parents moved to the United States in 1984 without knowing anything about this country. Looking for a fresh start and new opportunities, my parents settled in Houston. With hardly knowing any English, my parents knew this was the place to make dreams become a reality. Luckily, I had older siblings to look up to whenever I needed help. Like Lahiri, I was trapped in between two different cultures while I was growing up. At home, I only spoke Spanish, but in school it was English. My habits and customs were different than others. Life as an immigrant’s offspring can be very difficult. As I grew older, I allowed myself to open my eyes and see the beauty of being an American from Hispanic descent.

I am third-generation Puerto Rican American. Although some do not see me as black, my race is black, my ethnicity is Puerto Rican, and my nationality is American. I grew in a city where 39.3 percent of the population is Hispanic. Growing up in urban city where a large percentage of the population is Hispanic shaped who I am, what I have learned, and the struggles I overcame.

Self improvement is defined as the improvement of one’s knowledge, status or character by one’s own efforts. Society has shown us the many different ways people improve their lives today. Any change, no matter how small can become a major factor in someones current or future life. Lets take Immigrants as an example of self improvement. People immigrate to the U.S in search for a better life and the pursuit of happiness. Once they have established themselves in this country of opportunity, immigrants are able to lay a strong foundation for their children and any other decedents in their generation. Being a first generation American child puts a lot responsibilities and expectations to deliver in a person. Relationships in first generation families often deteriorate because they are faced with a conflict between living up to standards, or living a double standard.

I am a first generation Mexican-American that comes from humble beginnings and was instilled to work hard to achieve ones dreams. My parents are humble, earnest, and hardworking people that immigrated to the United States in search of a better tomorrow for themselves and for their loved ones back home. Coming to this country was not easy, for they faced many obstacles in getting here and then assimilating into a culture where they knew no one and did not know the language.

I was born May, 30th 1989 at Wadley Medical in Texarkana, Ar. I was born to Kym Crispino from Queens, NY and William Lee of Hot Springs, Ar. My parents were young when they had me. We were very poor at times, but they always made sure I had what I needed. I was an only child, but grew up around plenty of cousins. I have lived in Texarkana my entire life. My parents split up when I was twelve, and my mother and I moved out into the country on a dead-end street with no children in the area, I became very sheltered and a little socially awkward.

I was born in Merida, Mexico. That special day my father was in prison, he would leave our family by my fourth birthday. It would take me eight years to reunite with him in America. With two sisters and a single mother, I became the man of the house at a young age. Neither of my parents finished a high school education. I held my first job at age seven cleaning windshields at stoplights for any available change, in an effort to alleviate my mother’s burdens. My life experiences have taught me resiliency, hard work, and determination.

I became a part of Colorado history Twenty-One years ago. I came to Colorado in search of a new life. A new place to start my family, and twenty years later I am here with my family. I was originally born in Chihuahua, Chihuahua Mexico. I am daughter of Lidia and Jesus Ponce. Sister to Jesus Ramon and Perla Rocio Ponce. Colorado, has been a second home to me. I feel as if I have the best of both worlds. I feel as if I have the best of the American culture and the Hispanic culture. I am also a part of history because I had all three of my children in Greeley Colorado.

A situation where I was a minority and that have made an impact in my influence interactions with minority and majority populations is being a Second Generation American woman. As a woman born to Filipino Frist generation immigrants, I lack privilege to relative to men. I would always be corrected by my mother on how to be a woman. Even though I was allowed to go to school, I always felt I was being brought up by my mother to be a “happy homemaker.” When I was finally able to date, I was 18 in college. I never keep secrets from my parents, so when it was time for the “sex talk” it was interesting. My health insurance is under my father’s name so I felt obligated to tell them that I was planning on going on birth control. I didn’t want them finding out that I was sexually active through the Kaiser bill. My mother was not happy. She had never used birth control in her life. Frankly, I believe she was confused about the purpose of it. Because of her religious culture she didn’t believe in birth control. She even told me to keep the baby if I were to ever accidently get pregnant. When I told her about the birth control, she thought I was on it because I was pregnant. She didn’t want me slowing anything that could prevent Gods will for a pregnancy.

I am the first generation of my family members that has been raised at and attended school in the United States. My siblings were raised and educated in Mexico later transitioning to the U.S. when I was 4. My family from a young age to now has only been made up of my mom, two sisters, nephews, and niece slowly growing as time passes.

"Immigrants, Cities, and Disease - US History Scene." US History Scene. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2016.

Belonging is what provides you with a sense of permanency, helps to establish your core values and contributes to the development of your identity within your family and the world. The initial sense of belonging that humans experience is commonly through their nuclear family. Human beings are designed to grow healthy physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally, through loving care and acceptance in a safe environment. Mother’s teach children about bonding, trust, attachment and the ability to accept and impart affection. Father’s provide discipline and mentoring that helps children identify their gifts and talents typically through encouraging risk taking to discover potential (Dye, 2012) If during early childhood you are not imparted with the love and encouragement required you can spend years engrossed in the process of finding an identity.

I was use to that saying. It was kind of built into my system. My brother who was only one year younger than me was better than me at everything. Sports, school and best of all earning my parents praise. Whenever he would come home on report card day, he would always have this giant harmonic smile, where I would slowly try to sneak into the house. But like all little brothers, after my parents were done at looking at his report card, he would call me out “Hey Perry where’s your report card?” and he would leave me to my parents who would devour me.