Conflict and healing in family experience of second-generation emigrants from India living in North America.

In this article, I describe a study that generates a substantive theory of healing from the conflict experienced by second-generation emigrants from India living in North America. Qualitative methodology, specifically, the Grounded Theory method of data analysis and theory building, was used. Literature elucidating the differences between North American and Indian cultural values was used as a basis for exploration. Results suggest that cultural conflict stems from areas such as education and success, pressure from parents to maintain traditional cultural values, family bonds and lack of boundaries, parental control and abuse, and dating and marriage. The results of the conflict are discussed by participants in terms of loneliness and pain, lying, rebellion, or acceptance of cultural values. The factors that mediate the conflict and that determine the degree to which participants rebel or accept the cultural values seem to be linked to the approval and acceptance individuals received from their family or community and their level of self-esteem. Finally, I discuss how individuals can heal from the conflict. Methods of healing include communication with and education for parents, therapy in the areas of anger, resentment, and self-esteem, and developing an alternative support system, which may include other second-generation individuals.