Why do family traditions matter?
Family traditions are stereotypical practices or customs that are passed down in a family tree. These are the activities that a family performs through generations. These could be any daily routines or any seasonal celebrations. These traditions also include special events that a family celebrates together. These moments shared by family members to strengthen their bonds and give them a sense of love and belonging. Family traditions matter because they naturally frame family culture by supporting their values and providing a clear sense of identity.
Understanding family traditions
In understanding family traditions, these two questions may arise in your mind. What are family traditions? And why are family traditions important for identity? The answer to these questions is,
Family traditions are the rituals that a family performs and they are passed down through its generations. These traditions may be any kind of routine or a special occasion that matters to the family. There are many forms of family traditions like daily and weekly traditions. Others are seasonal and generational traditions. These are explained as follows
Daily Traditions
These are the traditions that are followed daily. These may include any bedtime stories and game nights full of enjoyment.
Weekly Traditions
These traditions are followed weekly as a weekend bath or weekend massage. Cooking the same dish weekly and having family dinners and movie nights are some examples of weekly traditions.
Seasonal Traditions
These rituals are followed by families annually at a specific period of time like harvesting crops in summer and visiting a hill station during winter vacations.
Generational Traditions
These traditions are passed to the following generations. Such types of traditions include faith practices and cultural meals like southern loves barbecue and Louisiana creole cuisine while Northeastern like to eat chowder, which is loved by people living in the United States. They like to make and eat it.
Why are family traditions important for identity?
Family traditions and family culture play a vital role in developing the identity of a child. It has a great influence on his mind. It shapes the future of children in families. They may see or experience any generational trauma that follows down the family and on the other hand they may experience a supportive and nourishing childhood due to good family traditions that influence their adulthood. Family traditions actually help children to understand exactly who they really are. What are their roots? Whom do they belong to? What do they have to follow? All these factors contribute to shaping a child’s behavior and identity.
How do family traditions help build a strong family culture?
Family traditions help build a strong family culture in various ways.
Developing a strong relationship
A strong relationship is built by linking family rituals and family culture. Making all family members believe in their values and traditions shapes a beautiful relationship among all of the family members. They share their family roles and responsibilities.
Developing a sense of oneness
Together we rise together we fall is a proverb that best explains a sense of oneness and togetherness. It gives a great message to everyone that family is a whole. They all matter for each one of them.
Develop Generational Connection
Transferring values through traditions develops a great generational connection. Gratitude, kindness and faith are some values that the family follows. Cultural heritage like traditional clothes and meals, is transferred through generations. For example, Hanfu is a traditional Chinese dress that is still worn by Chinese ladies gracefully.
Deepen the trust and emotional bond
Emotional security is one of the greatest characteristics that a person receives from family members. Building trustworthy relations plays a vital role.
Develop a true identity
Family traditions of one family differ from another on some basis. They may have some similar traditions but they do differ at some point and this forms the basis of their true identity.
Celebrations with family strengthen culture
Celebrating with family members makes cultural values strong. These traditional celebrations play a role in strengthening the culture by providing a sense of integrity and togetherness. Where everyday traditions like family dinners become a source of gathering and also provide a message of unity. It shows the family is together. Celebrating holiday and seasonal traditions like Christmas, Eid and Thanksgiving becomes families most valuable part of memories. They always wait eagerly for that time of the year because they have always seen their parents and grandparents do so. So this makes culture stronger. Achieving milestones like marriage anniversaries and birthdays and then celebrating with family members adds more value to those moments.
Cross-cultural traditions
Cross cultural traditions are the beliefs and values that are formed by the mixing up the backgrounds of different cultures. It means different aspects of different cultures come together and form cross cultural traditions. These are formed by the exchange of values and shared experiences. It is a concept of modernity.
How do cultural care host families build tradition across borders?
Nowadays, there is a concept of international and exchange students. A lot of students leave their country and visit another for their higher education and career growth. Those students do live with families of host nation individuals. Those families become culture care host families that provide students with all the facilities they provide for their own children. At the time they both celebrate the traditions of each other like a Hindu exchange student living with a family in the United States and they both celebrate Christmas and Diwali together. They even exchange their languages and share cooking traditions to strengthen their bond. It forms the basis of cross cultral celebrations and traditions as they share their thoughts and values.
Even many cross cultural family centres are being made in countries so families from different backgrounds can send their children to those centres for their cross cultural counselling that helps them excel in the society that they are living in. Such individuals honour both cultures.
Inspiring family tradition ideas for any household
Here are some family traditions that make family culture even stronger
- You can watch a movie with your family weekly.
- You can spend a day at an NGO as a volunteer with your family members.
- Having nights out or going camping in the summer with family.
- Journaling your family moments.
- Telling stories of your ancestors to your children.
- Sleepover at Grandparents’ place.
- Showing gratitude and love.
Conclusion
Family traditions are of great importance as they make up your identity. You are being identified by your family name and family tradition. It is the time to build and strengthen your family by making your own family traditions and following your family culture.
Even Healthvore mentions staying close and connected to your family members relieves stress and contributes to good mental health. Having a healthy family that follows a good culture and tradition reduces the risk of genetic diseases and conditions that may run in your family.
By staying consistent and connected you can make a tradition that enhances your culture that stays for generations.
FAQs
What are family traditions?
Family traditions are stereotypical practices or customs that are passed down in a family tree. These are the activities that a family performs through generations.
What is a cross culture tradition?
Cross cultural traditions are the beliefs and values that are formed by the mixing up of the backgrounds of different cultures. It means different aspects of different cultures come together and form cross cultural traditions.
How can I make my own family tradition?
You can make your own family tradition by connecting to your family in different ways like having family dinners. The rest are mentioned above do have a look.
