VTMBH Article: Body
Suspicion, confusion and cynicism are increasing among Bangladeshi families living in the United States. This erodes family values, giving rise to conflicts and feuds among family members, said social worker Shahnaj Ahmed, of the Queens Child Guidance Center.
Ahmed works at the Queens Child Guidance Center, a multi-ethnic organization with a special program for those suffering from depression and familial and social problems.
One of the major problems of the Bangladeshi families is their illiteracy, Ahmed said, in a free-ranging interview about problems facing the growing Bangladeshi community in New York. Many are illiterate or lack education, and they suddenly lose their balance in a free and educated society. Then they face social and cultural conflicts, especially a gap between parents and the new generation.
Many parents, without understanding the matter, think the barometer of intelligence is becoming American. Their dream is to teach their children the American culture. But they don't know the consequences. They forget our own history, traditions and culture.
Ahmed said that clothing style is one source of conflict between parents and children. There are many families that do not want their children to wear short or mini clothes. Many people come to us with these kinds of problems.
Another is family violence. Some days back, Ahmed said, a 15-year-old girl brought serious allegations against her mother. The girl wants to live with her boyfriend. When she informed her mother, she became upset. Once she took her daughter to the school and rebuked her in front of all, saying, I will see you when you will return home. The girl said her mother was trying to harm her. This is very dangerous in the United States. The city social service department is investigating the matter, and we are counseling the family.
Besides family violence, another problem in our community is that many Bangladeshis don't want to call the police even when they are the victims of an incident.
Besides addiction to drugs, teenage pregnancy and other problems are gradually increasing in our society. I think this is the time for us all to speak up about these problems, said Ahmed.
She added that different community-based organizations may play an important role, and mosques and religious educational institutions can host special counseling.
Ahmed works at the Queens Child Guidance Center, a multi-ethnic organization with a special program for those suffering from depression and familial and social problems.
One of the major problems of the Bangladeshi families is their illiteracy, Ahmed said, in a free-ranging interview about problems facing the growing Bangladeshi community in New York. Many are illiterate or lack education, and they suddenly lose their balance in a free and educated society. Then they face social and cultural conflicts, especially a gap between parents and the new generation.
Many parents, without understanding the matter, think the barometer of intelligence is becoming American. Their dream is to teach their children the American culture. But they don't know the consequences. They forget our own history, traditions and culture.
Ahmed said that clothing style is one source of conflict between parents and children. There are many families that do not want their children to wear short or mini clothes. Many people come to us with these kinds of problems.
Another is family violence. Some days back, Ahmed said, a 15-year-old girl brought serious allegations against her mother. The girl wants to live with her boyfriend. When she informed her mother, she became upset. Once she took her daughter to the school and rebuked her in front of all, saying, I will see you when you will return home. The girl said her mother was trying to harm her. This is very dangerous in the United States. The city social service department is investigating the matter, and we are counseling the family.
Besides family violence, another problem in our community is that many Bangladeshis don't want to call the police even when they are the victims of an incident.
Besides addiction to drugs, teenage pregnancy and other problems are gradually increasing in our society. I think this is the time for us all to speak up about these problems, said Ahmed.
She added that different community-based organizations may play an important role, and mosques and religious educational institutions can host special counseling.