In my previous posts, I wrote about the first time I ever went to see a therapist while I was in grad school, and how I started therapy for good about two years later.
As I read your article here, I found so many similarities in our experience. I want to highlight the part about parental expectation for our career paths. I'm not sure if it's a common theme among parents of the "old world" (China, Turkey), but in my culture, parents wield such an authoritarian power on the lives of their children, that they assume the right to decide what their children will study and the profession they will work in. Mine talked me out of becoming an artist, for which I've been resentful most of my life. Kudos to you that you have claimed your own agency in deciding what you want to do with your life.
Yes, that’s why I said your post really resonated with me because I could see that we went through very similar paths.
I think yes, culture plays a role here, but I guess parents can be controlling in pretty much every part of the world.
And thank you for the comment on the agency. Even though I could not come to grips with the choices I made fully, I can at least say that I followed my own path, for better or worse.
Yes, I can see that we walked on similar paths when it comes to growing up and making career choices, etc. It's true that authoritarian and controlling type of parenting exists across cultures. Keep creating and walking on your own path!
Thank you Louisa, I appreciate it! I'll definitely follow your work, too. The idea of writing about my experience as an immigrant was at the back of my mind and your articles gave me the encouragement to go ahead and think about it more and then write something on it.
As I read your article here, I found so many similarities in our experience. I want to highlight the part about parental expectation for our career paths. I'm not sure if it's a common theme among parents of the "old world" (China, Turkey), but in my culture, parents wield such an authoritarian power on the lives of their children, that they assume the right to decide what their children will study and the profession they will work in. Mine talked me out of becoming an artist, for which I've been resentful most of my life. Kudos to you that you have claimed your own agency in deciding what you want to do with your life.
Yes, that’s why I said your post really resonated with me because I could see that we went through very similar paths.
I think yes, culture plays a role here, but I guess parents can be controlling in pretty much every part of the world.
And thank you for the comment on the agency. Even though I could not come to grips with the choices I made fully, I can at least say that I followed my own path, for better or worse.
Yes, I can see that we walked on similar paths when it comes to growing up and making career choices, etc. It's true that authoritarian and controlling type of parenting exists across cultures. Keep creating and walking on your own path!
Thank you Louisa, I appreciate it! I'll definitely follow your work, too. The idea of writing about my experience as an immigrant was at the back of my mind and your articles gave me the encouragement to go ahead and think about it more and then write something on it.
That sounds great! Look forward to reading about your immigrant experience and other stories!