Cultural Autobiography: Narration of Personal Life Experiences - Essay Example

The brief overviews of one’s personal experiences have shaped values, traditions, and preferences and are acknowledged as forming the cultural background for manifesting the way I behave. My family which I considered most important is very straight in terms of observing religious traditions and practices. As Muslims, our lives are guided by Hadiths, or the principles heard and seen by the Holy Prophet. Together with the whole family, I strictly observe Holy Days and days of fasting and adherence to religious obligations.

In ordinary family conversations, for example, during dinner time at home, we always discuss our personal activities that transpired during the day; such as school and work, among others. More importantly, we do not discuss topics pertaining to sexual concerns or issues. Family decisions are made primarily by our parents, who are autocratic and accepted to control everything. In terms of gender differences, I confirm that we got differences between males and females; where just like in most families, the man is still considered the head of the family.

In this regard, although there were perceived inequalities in treating Muslim women as inferior to men, these issues have been traditionally and culturally accepted as part of the way of life. The common expectations for young people, especially of today’s generation are to make something extraordinary to make one’s parents proud. It is through excelling in academic performances and attending foreign schools that we endeavor to develop skills to be prepared professionally and be an active contributor to the development and advancement of one’s family, one’s community, and the nation, as a whole.

With more proliferation of people from my culture attending schools in other countries, such as the United States, my family has exhibited flexibility in accommodating people from diverse cultural orientations. This is part of the globalization perspective, not only of the nation but of all nations and cultures around the world. In terms of segregations in religious affiliations, since there are many different parts in Islam, some people might treat others depending on which side in Islam one is affiliated with.

That issue has actually bothered some people; and others live with it as part of the community’s perspectives and cultural underpinnings. But we still share common things in all Islam parts, like praying, fasting, and observing holy days of obligation. Most Muslim people help poor people as part of what God said through the whole Qur’an. No matter what is one’s side in the Muslim community, one must recognize the need to help people in need. In terms of perceptions of self-worth and how it was reinforced in one’s day to day experience, after living more than a year without a job, I recognized that everything in my life could be much better by getting my bachelor's degree.

All my brothers encouraged me to study abroad and get an electrical engineering degree which has been my dream since I was a child. So, every day when I wake up I remember where I was and what I can become in the future. I live day by day looking forward to making my dream come true. Through these personal experiences, coupled with the analysis and interpretation, one realized that the influence of one’s family has been crucial and significant in defining the course and direction of my personal life.

In a way, I am convinced that I was not forced to do anything that is not within my personal desire, interest or liking – but these dreams and activities have been part of my personal development as ingrained from the experiences seen from family members and see what needs to be done in one’s community and be an instrumental part of the development and growth of my country.