This week his words have become so relevant. I was working on several topics that I wanted to present to you when an issue arose within my own family. I then remembered that I had promised to share with you the joys, sadness, success and failures of newcomers.
My 16-year-old daughter decided to move out, something that in our family-based conservative culture is not an issue and would not happen until the person is to be married and/or finished university. I am sure that the impact of this situation is something that many immigrant families from different backgrounds have had to face and have probably suffered through. Issues like this one go along with adjusting and accepting the new "rules".
I have mixed feelings about it. At first I was confused, angry and perhaps even felt that I had made a mistake in my decision to bring my family to Canada.
Some days have past.
I have had to open my mind, re-establish thoughts within me and understand that no one is to blame. The system here allows teenagers rights that, although we parents may feel they are not ready for, we cannot go against. Perhaps we have to assume the consequences of our decisions. We must remain nearby to help them stand on their feet as they begin to walk down a new road; one full of adventures.
The Argentinean poet's words keep coming back. Was it the right decision? Time will tell. For now I must give my daughter the benefit of the doubt and trust that she will carry the values taught at an early age. May God bless and protect her and many children of newcomers who become dazzled by the freedom of this new culture.
- The newest Barrie Advance columnist, Mirna Concha has worked in multicultural settings as counsellor and journalist. She has specialized in culture shock and newcomers' issues, has attended several UN conferences and is part of OISE/University of Toronto's "Ruptures, continuities and re-learnings"; a publication on the political participation of Latin Americans in Canada. You can reach her at mirna.concha@theheritagenetwork.ca.
