VA: New Parenting Classes in Punjabi are jointly conducted by Center for Multicultural Human Services and Guru Gobind Singh Foundation conducts at Guru Gobind Singh Foundation every Sunday between 2 pm. 4 p. m A total of 12 mothers have signed up for the parenting classes There is a genuine interest in this course because of parents concern about their children growing up in an environment which is totally different themselves grew up back home in Punjab India.
This is the first ever course being offered to young parents of Indian Origin as there is a deep concern for sustaining religious spiritual and ethical values of traditional Punjabi and in this group a Sikh way of life and children are caught up between their parents at home and peer group at school
Most children from these families are high academic achievers but face difficult problems in social adjustment in context of a larger American society. There is an identity crisis and there is a generation gap along with normal family problems of sibling rivalries and lack Communication between parents and children. .
Mothers expressed keen interest in earning techniques of disciplining children and resolving conflicts by focusing on rewarding the desired behavior rather than punishing the undesirable actions of their children
Sikhs have distinguished themselves in various professions in this country and rarely have any of the members of this religious group sought help from social services anywhere in the country.
The question of confidentiality was dealt with in a very moving dialogue with parents. They all felt the need to talk in a free and fink manner in a confidential safe and
Supportive environment Ethics for all members to observe during the period of 10 sessions The members were asked to observe a silence for five minutes and to sit in a prayerful contemplative mood and then sign a pledge of confidentiality is turning out to be a support group for the members attending the class and they are preparing to be resource persons and/or advisors to other members of the community in need of assistance in matters concerning younger generations growing up in Sikh homes in this part of the world.
By: Surjit Kaur
Article extracted from this publication >> March 4, 1994
