Happy Nowruz! Happy Persian (Solar) New Year! Does your family celebrate the spring equinox? We do! Similarly, we celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year and the Gregorian New Year. More celebrations, the merrier! Right?
Nowruz, originated in Zoroastrianism, is the Persian New Year celebrated on the spring equinox - 21 March - based on the Solar Hijri calendar (officially used in Iran and Afghanistan). For over 3,000 years, it is celebrated by different ethnic groups in Western Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Black Sea Basin, the Balkans, and South Asia.
Culturally Misplaced Identities
The sociologists talk about the socio-cultural misplacement and its negative implications. The migration experts raise alarm about population movements and integration issues. The politicians debate about nationalism, "us and them" divide, creating the phobic attitudes towards minority groups which can result in violence and it often does. Moreover, in our culturally-diverse world, we often get lost in terms of our cultural identity. "Who am I?" Rhetorical question... Frankly, I am still struggling to give a clear answer. The borders are so blurred. Given the Soviet cultural and Muslim religious heritage of my parents... Having studied, worked and lived in Europe for more than half of my life (which is at least 2 decades) as an expat in the international environment. Well, let's say.. I define myself as a culturally cosmopolitan person.
Cultural identity is a part of a person's identity, or their self-conception and self-perception, and is related to nationality, ethnicity, religion, social class, generation, locality or any kind of social group that has its own distinct culture. Cultural identity - Wikipedia
The Cultural Identity of Modern-Age Children: "How To" Tips
If the the adults often feel misplaced and lost in our globalised world... Imagine, how disoriented are our growing children. They have just started their journey of self-identity... How to guide them? What to teach them? I would like to propose you the following friendly advice based on my professional and personal experience:
Discuss within your family and with your children about the significance of tolerance, respect for diversity and non-discrimination.
Practice the family cultural traditions to give your child a sense of belonging to a community and having roots; tell children about your ancestors and their lifestyle in order to help them to connect to their heritage.
Reinforce family cultural values by explaining their importance and essence.
Explain the negative impact of harmful practices, encourage to be a cycle breaker, show by personal example.
Give children a freedom to choose their religion and beliefs (watching out for child safety as usual). Don't impose or force a particular religion or belief on a child.
Educate children about various cultures, religions and beliefs. Participate in the celebrations of other than your cultures. Teach to cherry-pick the best from different civilisations. Encourage to learn foreign languages and travel the world.
Make sure that your child feels accepted the way he/she is within your family and community.
Why encourage tolerance in our kids? To start with, we want out kids to feel relaxed and open to learning from different cultures. They bring new ideas, experiences and energy to our lives. Our kids can potentially learn bundles from other cultures. If willing, tolerance opens doors in business, education, travel, leisure, lifestyle, art plus other areas of life. How To Teach Your Kids About Tolerance - Guidelines for Parents (childdevelopmentinfo.com)
At Modern Parenting, we teach to raise the World Citizens. A child who would be able to feel confident in any environment when becomes an adult. A child who is tolerant, open-minded and respectful of diversity. A child with a great set of life skills to navigate in our globalized world.
How do you parent? What's your aimed end-result? We can help you to take The well-informed decisions on respectful childcare to raise the Healthy&Happy World Citizens.
If you'd like to learn more of my lifehacks on creating The Healthier&Happier Family, book your session now and here! Get your personal strategy customized for your family! Expand the horizons of your children!
Reminder: Healthy&Happy Children = Healthy&Happy Parents!
Gulnoz, Your Life Coach (aka Oxford-graduated Human Rights Lawyer)
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