The Cultures We Carry: How My Family History Shaped Me

One thing I have realized through learning about cultural psychology is that our culture does not begin with us. A lot of who we are is influenced by the experiences, decisions, and traditions of the generations before us. When I think about my own cultural identity, a major part of that story comes from my grandma immigrating from Jamaica to Canada in 1969. Although I was born and raised in Canada, her experience of leaving one country and building a life in another continues to shape my family and my own identity today.

Before taking cultural psychology, I often thought about my family history as just stories about the past. However, I now understand that these stories represent cultural transmission, where values, beliefs, and traditions are passed from one generation to the next. My grandma’s Jamaican culture did not disappear when she moved to Canada. Instead, parts of it continued through our family in different ways, such as traditions, food, communication styles, family values, and the importance of maintaining connections with one another.

Immigration also connects closely to the idea of acculturation, which describes the process of adapting to a new culture while balancing aspects of one’s original culture. When my grandma moved to Canada, she had to adjust to a completely different environment. She experienced Canadian culture while also carrying parts of Jamaican culture with her. Her ability to adapt shaped the way future generations of our family experienced culture. Because of this, I grew up influenced by both my Jamaican background and Canadian society.

One thing I find interesting is how culture changes across generations. My grandma experienced Jamaican culture firsthand, while my connection comes more through family, stories, and traditions. Growing up in Canada, especially in a small rural community, meant that my everyday experiences were very different from hers. Sometimes this made me question how connected I was to my Jamaican identity because I did not grow up in Jamaica and was surrounded mostly by Canadian culture. However, I have realized that cultural identity is not always about living in a certain place. It can also come from the values and experiences passed down through family.

My family history has also shaped the way I think about belonging. Being a second-generation Canadian means my identity is influenced by multiple cultural perspectives. I grew up with Canadian values emphasizing independence and creating your own path, but I also learned the importance of family, community, and respecting the sacrifices made by previous generations. Both of these influences have shaped the person I am today.

Learning about cultural psychology has helped me understand that my grandma’s immigration story is not just a family event; it is part of my own cultural development. The choices and experiences of previous generations continue to influence how people see themselves, even years later. Culture is something that moves and changes over time. My identity today is not only shaped by where I grew up but also by the history and culture my family carried with them.