Item AAAB6088 - Hannah [pseudonym] interview

RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1985-08-22 SUMMARY: Born in India; came here with family in 1962; returned for 10 months in 1974; father is a Sikh priest, asked to come to Canada; mother encouraged him to come; father worked in mill as well; wages in both jobs very low; sponsored family with help of temple committee; 1969 father had a bad accident and now gets handicapped pension; mother more modern than father, mother is more educated, made easier adjustment to life here; mother's English pretty good, had a B.A.; mother worked in janitorial; dishwasher; reception; waitressing jobs; feelings about being part of two cultures; mother was rejected by the Indian community for modern ways; expectations of Indian community; respect for parents by children; retaining Indian culture, sense of family responsibilities; difficulties growing up part of two cultures; father didn't like children speaking English; sister rebelled against arranged marriage; father's feelings about modern wife; marriage eventually destroyed; restricted life living in the temple; sisters and brothers; Westernization depends on length of stay; father went to England in 1972; difficult for women immigrants; comparison of upbringing of boys and girls; working at Oasis; alcohol; women able to help themselves here, alternatives, support; how people come to Canada; some had a better life at home; women don't work in India; adjustment hardest for old people; learning English; differences in age groups; problems coming here; restrictions on and mistreatment of women; alcohol and physical abuse; what men do with their time; recommendations; Oasis; changing attitudes; attitudes and expectations of men; Caucasians and Indians need to reach out to each other; political problems, fear, hostility, discrimination; problems of visible minority; tolerance here and in India; change and assimilation takes a long time.