Conflict and Healing in Family Experience of Second‐Generation Emigrants from India Living in North America*

• Published date: 01 June 2001
• Date: 01 June 2001
• Author: Romola Dugsin
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1545-5300.2001.4020100233.x

Conf‌lict and Healing in Family Experience of

Second-Generation Emigrants from India

Living in North America*

ROMOLA DUGSIN, M.A.†

In this article, I describe a study that

generates a substantive theory of healing

from the conf‌lict experienced by second-

generation emigrants from India living in

North America. Qualitative methodology,

specif‌ically, the Grounded Theory method

of data analysis and theory building, was

used. Literature elucidating the differ-

ences between North American and In-

dian cultural values was used as a basis

for exploration. Results suggest that cul-

tural conf‌lict stems from areas such as

education and success, pressure from par-

ents to maintain traditional cultural val-

ues, family bonds and lack of boundaries,

parental control and abuse, and dating

and marriage. The results of the conf‌lict

are discussed by participants in terms of

loneliness and pain, lying, rebellion, or

acceptance of cultural values. The factors

that mediate the conf‌lict and that deter-

mine the degree to which participants

rebel or accept the cultural values seem to

be linked to the approval and acceptance

individuals received from their family or

community and their level of self-esteem.

Finally, I discuss how individuals can

heal from the conf‌lict. Methods of healing

include communication with and educa-

tion for parents, therapy in the areas of

anger, resentment, and self-esteem, and

developing an alternative support system,

which may include other second-genera-

tion individuals.

Fam Proc 40:233–241, 2001

CULTURAL conf‌lict is a growing con-

cern as the number of families mi-

grating to North America increases. The

diff‌iculties that arise from differences in

language, religion, and cultural values

are felt not only by the families them-

selves but also by school systems and

helping professionals trying to assist the

family. The many issues that arise deeply

affect both the parents and their children,

the second-generation immigrants. While

there is diversity within groups as well as

between groups, there are important

themes that do apply to many families in

these situations.

Growing up, I struggled, and had diff‌i-

culty choosing between the Indian values

with which I was raised, and the need to

assimilate into the North American cul-

ture where I lived. My family experienced

*Editor’s Note: This article received the new

Family Process Institute award for the best

manuscript submitted by an international student

in 2000.

† Romola Dugsin, M.A. (Honors) in Clinical Psy-

chology, and doctoral candidate, is currently work-

ing at the Wholistic Body Works Clinic. Send corre-

spondence to her institutional aff‌iliation: Center for

Humanistic Studies, 40 East Ferry Avenue, Detroit

MI 48202–3802; e-mail: dugsin6974@home.com.

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Family Process, Vol. 40, No. 2, 2001 ©FPI, Inc.