The importance of cultural identity in todays' youth

[n8ivgoddess]

Knowing who you are and where you come from is very important to our youth. Especially teenagers. Having no idea who you are, or your cultural beginnings has proven to be detrimental to our teenage youth. This is a very important time in their life. Identity crisis can lead to alcoholism, drug addiction, apathy, severe depression and suicide. Alcoholism and drug addiction so often branch out into other behavioural problems, like pregnancy, domestic violence, assault, battery, drunk driving, manslaughter.. the list goes on. These are the problems we are facing, as a people. And, if we don't do anything about it and these problems are not fixed, future generations will suffer. Let's stop the cycle. The government may have started this painful cycle, but we, as a people who have had enough of the suffering caused by it, can put a stop to it.

[mk2u_PREV (deleted)]

Your right and its sad to see these kids out there who try to be in gangs or don't know the old ways. Then you see their parents and its like their the same way. I think a lot has to do with the fact that we don't have our extended relatives around like before. I grew up with my cousins, aunts, uncles, grandma's, and grandpa's (indian way, your g'ma and g'pa's bro's and sis's). I learned respect, etc. But, I do admit there was a time in my teenage years I just wanted to forget all that and live like every other wild teenager. I think if your kids see their culture and identity when they are young they come back to it, eventually. I do see teenagers that have drinking problems, then you see their mothers and grandmothers and they drink too, and then who stops the cycle?

[johnmarlon (deleted)]

Events in history have put us in this situation.


Culturally many natives are close with surrounding relatives compared to anyone else in their life. Since alcoholism dwells within the family it is easy for someone to get involved in the activities of the people that are so close to them in their lives. It's like a chain reaction with cousins as they get older. One starts, another follows, and soon more follow what society deems as "cool".

When life starts over our culture will be the last standing, our culture was there first and it will be there at the end. Just need to pray for those in these days.

[mk2u_PREV (deleted)]

I am lucky because my family doesn't drink, but I see many native families stuck in this cycle and its sad. When I talk to non-Natives, it really makes me mad when they assume all Natives drink. Your right about our culture being here in the end. Some people get upset because they say we are not acknowledged in the media and I think thats good. When we teach our children to be proud of who they are and bring them up with their true culture(none of which includes alchohol or drugs) they can flourish in this society without becoming one of the demographics. When I was a teenager my aunt told me that other races are not aware of their culture and feel like they need to be a part of something or feel the need to "fit in" but native teens don't need that because we have many beliefs and tradition of our own. It took me awhile to figure this out but it is true.

[quetz_PREV (deleted)]

`So true. Had a friend of mine who's family was like that. Really, its quite painful to watch. I mean, we couldn't even go with the fam to a baseball game or kids birthday party without them smuggling a lil Captain in thier coke or beer in clamato juice..

Unfortunately, because we are all influences for our kids, they will follow our lead and follow what we introduce to them. I think its important to note, that even if you don't know your native traditions, language or what not. Its not that hard to learn. And if you are diligent in learning, there are so many resources available, even within our own families. The more we learn as adults, the more we can guide the youth.

In LA, every year Harmony Keepers/Huatlican Circle, which is a warrior society of the Mexica Nation, has a Sacred Run of the Four Directions. They gather the youth and community and do a relay run to the area sacred sites and have elders speak at each site. When the 4 directions meet, we dance. Its beautiful and gives the youth opportunity to witness the beauty of our culture.

[riverotter]

`Fact: Arizona is the 4th largest consumer of alcohol.
Fact: In the city limits of Tempe, there are at least 1000 places to get a drink.
Opinion: We have had 500 years of oppression and have lost many brothers and sisters to booze. Societal forces are such to claim the souls of many. So. in a sense we have an excuse of sorts. We are but 1% of the population, so what is their excuse? I used to have a few in the old days and one day on a Friday I told my co-worker I was going to have a beer. He said "I heard that indians like to drink." I replied," I don't know about that, but if I walked out this door and went to the first bar I came to, I bet that it would be full of drunk white men." He shut up!

[lilmamaalone (deleted)]

`What about youth who are mixed? Should they be taught the culture as full-blooded youth? I ask this only becuse my son is mixed and mean no disrespect in bardging in on your conversaition. I just wan't to do right by my son for his future.

[shewolfe (deleted)]

`ahh this a topic i can relate to i was raised with one parent which is my mom i had no father figure but my dad was there alchohalism runs in my fathers side and i see them act so arragont and judgemental i think itailians are more drinkers then native's. and so ive never gotten into drugs what so ever. i do drink some wine coolers but very rarely. my mom told me some native's have trouble with alchohal,she's a quarter cherokee. i also find the media/movie star scene very annoying im more like hang around nerdy down to earth people. in my spare time i do postive things like charity work im apart of this costuming org. called rebel legion (its a star wars group) we help raise money for relay for life cancer you name it.