Recently, the New York Parent-Child Support Association teamed up with the Harmony Family Association to host a seminar titled “Cultural Heritage and Identity,” aimed specifically at immigrant families in the Chinese community. The event took place on Brooklyn’s 8th Avenue and attracted a significant number of Chinese parents eager to learn how to help their children embrace cultural traditions and develop healthy identities.
Nicole Huang, the leader of the New York Parent-Child Support Association, noted that immigrant parents often have a deep-rooted connection to Chinese culture. However, for children raised in the United States, the predominant influence is American culture, leading to potential clashes between the values and traditions of their parents and the culture they are immersed in. While many parents find it easier to absorb American culture through their children, there remains a strong desire among some to ensure their kids do not grow up to be “bananas”—a term used to describe those who are “yellow on the outside and white on the inside.”
The keynote speaker for the seminar was Chen Weili, the founder of the Harmony Family Association, who has dedicated the past 30 years to supporting the community in enhancing parent-child and marital relationships while helping teenagers achieve personal growth. Chen emphasized that parents’ actions have a more profound impact than mere words. He cautioned that forcing children to learn can lead to frustration; instead, parents should demonstrate their respect for Chinese cultural traditions and customs throughout daily life and various celebrations, allowing their children to learn by example.
Chen pointed out that children learn silently as they grow and often mimic their parents’ behaviors, making this indirect form of cultural transmission highly effective. He cited Halloween as an example, noting how American households go all out with decorations, making it an event that children cherish and prioritize. In addition to modeling behaviors, he encouraged parents to share engaging stories about traditional festivals such as Lunar New Year, Lantern Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Dragon Boat Festival, enriching their children’s understanding of their cultural heritage. Lastly, he urged families to participate actively in cultural events within the Chinese community.
In collaboration with the Harmony Family Association, the Parent-Child Support Association also runs a series of seminars titled “Parenting Academy,” covering topics such as parent-child communication, emotional connection and support, educational and achievement pressures, family relationships in the digital age, and cultural heritage and identity. For those interested, further information can be found at www.pcr.nyc.