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Carla Romero
Professor Mohr
English 350
February 13, 2014
Inheriting a Paradox
The United States is home to many immigrant families that have left behind their culture
and traditions in search of better opportunities. Children of immigrant families are in the middle
of two cultures. Immigration is a subject many can relate to including me. In The Good
Daughter Caroline Hwang the author shares her experience of what its been like for her to be
of two cultures and living in the United States. Hwang was born and raised in the United States;
her parents immigrated from Korea thirty years ago. Just like Hwangs parents, my parents
immigrated to the United States over 25 years ago. Growing up I wanted to feel and be
American however my parents did what they could to keep alive my culture and traditions. To
Hwangs surprise she was neither all American nor all Korean. Children of immigrants have
certain advantages and opportunities over their parents. The pressures and demands placed upon
the children of immigrants can lead to stressful situations. Children of immigrants inherit a
paradoxical situation.
Often times the search for better opportunities has resulted for many families to leave
behind their native country. Children of immigrant parents have certain advantages and
opportunities they otherwise would not have if they lived in their native country. Obtaining a
degree in the United States is possible through grants, scholarships, financial aid and loans.

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Hwang was able to obtain a BA in English and an MFA. I have been able to continue my
education with the help of financial aid and the support of my parents. Children of immigrant
parents generally speak more than one language. Knowing more than one language opens up
doors and opportunities. Employers are more likely to consider a bilingual candidate than one
that is not. Knowing Spanish has really helped me when looking for a job. My current place of
employment gave me the opportunity to be hired because I was bilingual.
Even though children of immigrant parents have certain advantages they also have to
satisfy the expectations and demands of their parents. Parents expect their children to accomplish
more than what they accomplished in their native country. Immigrant parents may not realize the
stress they are causing their children even when their intentions mean well. A good education
will open doors to well paid jobs and financial freedom is possible. They told me often, while I
was growing up, that, if I wanted to, I could be president someday, that here my grasp would be
as long as my reach (Hwang 9). Hwang was also expected marry within her race. My parents
expect me to marry someone Korean. (Hwang 10) Just like Hwang my parents expect me to
earn a degree because they werent given that option in Mexico and my parents also told me
when I was growing up that marrying a Mexican would be the most appropriate thing to do.
Hwang has always lived in the United States yet she feels displaced in the only country
she knows. I identify with Americans but Americans dont identify with me.(Hwang 9)
Hwang lives in the middle of two cultures. Hwang has to deal with the feeling of not belonging
to neither Korea nor the United States. However, this feeling starts and ends with her. We are
the first generation and the last. Children of immigrants naturally inherit the paradox pointed
out by Hwang.

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Hwang made a difficult decision to stay true to herself and pursue a career she had
passion for. Hwang has embraced a successful writing career, leaving aside her parents wish for
her to become a lawyer. Hwang like many other children of immigrants have adapted to living in
between two cultures. Meeting the demands and pressures brought forward by immigrant parents
may lead to disappointments however, the advantages and opportunities are endless for those
who strive for an education.

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Works Cited
Hwang, Caroline. The Good Daughter. Between Worlds: A Reader, Rhetoric, and Handbook.
Ed. Susan Bachman and Melinda Barth.7th ed. New York: Pearson Longman, 2012. 8-10.