The Need for Counselling For Young Sikhs in a Multi-Cultural Society - Dissertation Example

The dilemmas faced by young Sikhs are such that they feel unable to discuss these with their friends that are not of their religious background therefore the understanding and empathic level is limited. Some religious restrictions are that:* The wives of younger brothers, cousins and sons are veiled from elder men of the Sikh community, this symbolising respect. * A young Sikh is only deemed as an adult within the Sikh community when he is married.* Only when a young Sikh is married is he allowed to become a full participant member of the Sikh temple (Gurdwara).

* Many young Sikhs also experience peer group pressure, friends, schools, after school activities etc. * Huge dilemma are faced when their arranged marriage is pending, Young Sikh are pressured into taking responsibility for their extended families.The Sikh religion restricts young Sikhs from smoking or participating in any form of drug habits, this is a further frustration for them as they have no release mechanism when dealing with difficult or stressful situations - the choice is withdrawn.

Generally within the Sikhs communities there are extremely strong links with the extended family and Sikh men and women tend to stay longer with their families. In many Sikh families, traditionally, the personal sense of individuality is subsumed within the family identity. The person is not so much seen as an individual, but as a member of his or her family. What he or she does reflects upon the whole family; its standing within the community and amongst other members of the extended family; and honour (izzat), which extends beyond just the immediate family.

Personal identity is framed within this structure and an individual's. The Sikh religion restricts young Sikhs from smoking or participating in any form of drug habits, this is a further frustration for them as they have no release mechanism when dealing with difficult or stressful situations – the choice is withdrawn. Generally, within the Sikhs communities, there are extremely strong links with the extended family and Sikh men and women tend to stay longer with their families. In many Sikh families, traditionally, the personal sense of individuality is subsumed within the family identity.

The person is not so much seen as an individual but as a member of his or her family. What he or she does reflects upon the whole family; it's standing within the community and amongst other members of the extended family; and honor (izzat), which extends beyond just the immediate family. Personal identity is framed within this structure and an individual’s actions can, therefore, be seen or interpreted as a threat to this family structure. The extended family. With Sikh communities, from many systems that attempt to ensure that such threats do not arise, and, if they do, can be readily rectified.

Because of this, and because of the acceptance of these often subtle and invisible pressures, a Sikh person's identity is forced to become secondary in order to maintain family honor, even though emotionally this creates a constant tension and struggle that will often be overwhelming. For women, the pressures are even more intense and often in Sikh families, because of the cultural perceptions of women.