<p>Hey guys, I'm faced with a deep problem. </p>
<p>My parents brought me to this country when I was 9. I turned 10 on the plane here. I am American. I love our nation because it is the greatest nation in history. We are the strongest, the most powerful, and accomplished. We are the best. I am incredibly patriotic and am very proud of been part of this. However, my parents (who obviously immigrated here when they were in their late 30s) are CONSTANTLY telling me otherwise. They are constantly, always saying things like: "You're not American."</p>
<p>And I always want to shout: "Oh yeah? Then what am I? I barely have any memories when I lived in another country." </p>
<p>But they never understand. And they never, ever, miss an opportunity to tell me how I am not American. Isn't English the language that by far I speak the best? Oh no nvm, Im not American! Wait- didn't I grow up here and had my first boyfriend, first party, first everything here? Oh wait- Im not American! Isn't my life like the girl next door's? No! Im not American!</p>
<p>And it always gets on my nerves! Because Im incredibly patriotic! I love the flag! I love the troops! I respect our nation so much. </p>
<p>So I wanted to ask if any of you here has to go through the same problem and how to cope with it. 'Cause it's been getting on my nerves. And I love my parents to death 'cause they are amazing but everytime they do this it makes me hate them.</p>
<p>Where are you originally from?</p>
<p>I was born in Peru. My mom is also from Peru and my dad from Argentina.</p>
<p>If you feel that way, you are American. It doesn't matter where you were born.</p>
<p>Being 2nd generation (or 1.5 in your case) is hard on the kids because the parents pull them one way and the rest of everybody they know pull them the other direction. Your parents have a natural, though frustrating, desire to raise you as they see themselves (Peruvian, Argentine, South American, etc.). However, they have to realize that you're not like them and will never be because your upbringings were completely different. </p>
<p>Ultimately, only you can define who you are, and the first time you live away from your immigrant parents, you will generally get a sense of who you really are and where you belong.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I love our nation because it is the greatest nation in history.
[/quote]
what if your country is not the greatest nation?You'll dislike it?</p>
<p>by the way,why did they immigrate to US?</p>
<p><<<what if="" your="" country="" is="" not="" the="" greatest="" nation?you'll="" dislike="" it?="">>></what></p>
<p>No, I think Im one of those people that'd be superpatriotic wherever they were raised. Like, I know, if my parents had taken me to Pakistan and I'd have grown up there, I'd have been very proud of it. </p>
<p>To answer your other question, they brought me here because we already had alot of our family here anyway and they petitioned for us to come, because we spend summers here anyway, and because in their native country a university education was not an option for me because they couldn't afford it and because the goverment (or anyone for that matter) gives you any financial aid.</p>
<p>how about this
you can be proud of being American.
at the same time,you can also be proud of your peru heritage.</p>
<p>in this way,both you and your parents will feel much better.</p>
<p>You don't have to hold sole loyalty to one country. You can certainly take pride in being an American, but that doesn't mean you have to abandon your Peruvian heritage. That what makes America great; we have myriads of ethnicities and cultures that peacefully coexist, each one exhibiting some unique lineage.</p>