Heritage Assessment: Indian, Chinese and American Cultures
In using the heritage assessment tool, three (3) cultures were considered and compared: Indian (author's culture), Chinese and American.
Indian
The author's culture is highly influenced by rural Indian culture, as s/he was raised in India until s/he was 25 years old. Because of this late influence of American culture, my Indian culture has remained stronger within me. This is reflected in the author's lifestyle, which strictly adhered to traditions and values held important by the Indians. Raised a Catholic, the author is actively involved in the Church and participates in activities like Bible reading and celebrating religious holidays. The author's strong Catholic Indian identity is also reflected in her social circle, which primarily consisted of Indians sharing the same cultural identity as her and practicing Catholics.
However, when talking about health maintenance, the author mixes the influence of Indian culture with the principles of Catholicism. While she subscribes to the belief that one must approach a medical doctor when sick or not feeling well, the author also applies her local Indian knowledge in providing remedies to 'simple' illnesses like fever and joint and muscle pain. To cure these simple illnesses, the author simply uses herbs and different kinds of plants that are known in her native hometown as having medicinal properties. But she primarily administers these to herself and does not extend it to her family. When her family gets sick, she would go immediately to a medical doctor to have them checked.
Chinese
The Chinese interviewee/participant...
during her teen years. Since she grew up during this critical transition period, the influence of U.S. culture has become stronger and this has become her 'main' culture more than her Chinese identity. As a practicing Catholic, she was actively involved in religious activities such as praying, reading the Bible, and observing religious holidays and traditions. At the same time, her mother had taught her the 'Chinese way' of addressing medical concerns and problems. She was taught different techniques to ensure that she can maintain or regain her or her family's health through eating specific dishes or food and taking Chinese medicines made from indigenous plants. Her mother exposed and made her familiar with the Chinese drug stores who offer these herbal medicines for both very specific and simple ailments. Like most Chinese in her community, she has become adapted to a special diet that included regular intake of tea and herbs that would make her strong and feel and look young. The Chinese traditional health practices her mother taught her are extended to her husband, an American, and children. So far these health beliefs and practices have served her family right, and helped hem prevent simple ailments from escalating further.
American
Born and raised in America, the American interviewee was introduced early to Protestantism, but eventually declined to join any religious groups. While he does not label himself an atheist or non-believer, he has managed to create his personal religious philosophy and would like to keep it private and not share this with others. Raised in the U.S., he is a firm believer of medical…
