Testimony about Pakistani's origins

Testimony about Pakistani's origins

        Hello, my name is Salah ARIF, I'm a 22 years old pakistani. I live in Manchester and this is where I've lived my whole life. Growing up in Pakistani household in the U.K. has been quite tough. On one hand I was confronted with an ideal of love and openmindedness coming from all around me. But on the other hand, as soon as I got home, things were different. The cultural gap was as such as I couldn't fathom some of the things my parents believed.

        For exemple, my little sister Sarah, had to face an issue. She grew an interest in basketball and  wanted to play the sport she enjoys at a good level. But, even though, she was quite talented, our father told her, and I quote “that's not a sport for women and instead of thinking of playing basketball, help your mother and learn how to be a good housewife”. When I heard this I was in shock and I thought “how is it possible my father still thinks this way after living in the UK for all this time”.

        Another day, I was coming back from school and when I got home I told at my dad that one of my friend had a girlfriend and they're going to spend the holidays together. And I ask him hypothetically “if I had a girlfriend would you let me hangout with her and go on vacation with her”. He gave me a stern look and replied  “what are you talking about ? are you crazy ?, are you dumb ? We did not raise you this way young man ! You have to respect our culture and understand that in this house we dont do things “the english way”! If you were to do that then you'll bring dishonor to the name of the family. We won't force you to marry anyone or do anything but understand that if you want to live under OUR roof  you'll have to follow OUR principles .” I wasn't expecting this silly conversation going this way. And that day on I understood I'll never be able to change my parents views.

        Nowadays at 22 years old,  I'm able to pick apart the good out of both sides. I realize that my parents being that protective was them not being able to grasp the occidental point view. They were just trying to teach us, in a clumsy way,  what they've been taught and what they knew. Since i've left their house to go study I've opened my mind and tried to live keeping in mind their lessons but doing things my way.

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