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Family and Social Norms Role in Moral Development

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Family and Social Norms Role in Moral Development
In today’s generation, cultural legacies and family traditions are the footprints to a person's identity and history. These footprints give us insight into not only our past but a glimpse of our futures. Traditions are a great contribution to an individual’s identity and help to define what generation they come from and who they are. One importance of a tradition is that an individual can take their experiences and memoirs with them throughout their lifetime and pass them along for future generations to share. In my generation, there are two traditions that are the most memorable times. Diwali and Christmas. In Trinidad Tobago, the Christmas traditions in particular go outside the traditional Christmas celebration. Every Trinidadian and Tobagonian passes these traditions down to every generation of all cultures.
Family tradition and be interpreted as an idea or custom that a person inherits from their ancestors. Family traditions are normally an occasion or an event that is passed down through the generations. Traditions can help to shape and mold an individual's identity by teaching them about their ancestral roots. Family traditions are considered to be one of the best ways to bring various generations closer together in times of celebration. In most families, traditions are normally targeted with today's youths. Youth’s are the key to family traditions. It gives youths a sense of security in an uncertain world. Family traditions form lasting memories and gives hope to future generations when they continue and carry on their customs and traditions.
Thanksgiving, is one of the United States biggest traditions. It is a time when people of this great nation all come together to say thanks and pass on what was learned to future generations. Thanksgiving is not recognized in many other countries as a significant tradition. In Trinidad and Tobago they are many different cultures and traditions. For example East Indians (Hindus) have a tradition called Divali. This tradition has been handed down to many generations from India. It is pronounced “Deepavali” in India. Divali is referred to as the festival of lights. It Sanskrit it means "row of lights". The preparation of this tradition is the filling of the little clay lamps with oil and a week after I take them in rows all over the house (mostly outdoors). In one household debt can be literally thousands of lights in a vast array of designs. This tradition is only practiced in Trinidad by Hindu Trinidadians and Tobagonians. The definition of the word Divali symbolizes the rich and glorious past of the country for Hindus and it teaches not only the Hindu society but all citizens to uphold the true values of life. For Hindu Trinidadians and Tobagonians it is one of the most anticipated traditions in Trinidad Tobago.
Out of the estimated is 1.3 million citizens in Trinidad alone 43% of the population are East Indians. For that reason alone the Hindu festival Divali has become one of the countries in integral parts of society. Divali is not only the festival of lights, prayer and feasting are also incorporated along with lighting of thousands of diyas which are small clay pots filled with oil in which a wick is immersed and lit. (Diwali Festival of Lights) Divali is celebrated each year in November and lasts a week. Although it is a Hindu festival, this festival is celebrated by many multi-cultural and religious societies. It is a national holiday which is observed by all people of all races and religions in the country. (Diwali Festival of Lights)
The highlight of the tradition is the lighting of the diyas which usually takes place after sundown. Diyas are placed any and everywhere. In driveways, open spaces, staircases, porches and on bamboo stalk formations in an array of designs. In the highest concentration of Hindu communities, it is common to see the most diya displays. To highlight on another national tradition Christmas in Trinidad and Tobago is unlike any other. Christmas in Trinidad and Tobago is a time where all citizens come together and transform their homes for the New Year. Christmas is the most socialized time other than Carnival (Mardi Gras). At this time of year everyone invites family, friends and visitors both foreign and local over to their house for traditional food and drinks. Christmas is one of the main times that most families that live abroad either in the United States, the UK, or other countries come home to celebrate this tradition. It is one of the few times many families get to see and be with each other in the same place at the same time. Local businesses, corporations, small businesses take part in this tradition as well. This Christmas tradition involves singing parang and everyone goes between the neighbor's and relatives for traditional food and drinks. The word "parang" comes from the Spanish word "parranda" which means to "party" or "spree". (Parang Lime) Parang music is not only popular in Trinidad but also in Venezuela. Parang is heard around Christmas time, it is typically played with the maracas or the cuatro (a small four-string guitar), as well as other local instruments, and is often sung in Spanish. People who sing Parang are called "Parranderos" or sometimes "Serenaders". (Parang Lime)
These celebrations go well into the night and in some cases depending on the size of your family can go on for days. In most cases, friends, neighbors and family members celebrate and stay the night and in turn partake in the family's traditions. The most traditional time at Christmas is spent in the kitchen. This is the time where the older generations come together to teach the younger generations all about their Christmas traditions. Mothers, Grandmothers, Aunts, Nieces, Great-Grandmothers, females of all generations come together to prepare traditional Christmas dishes. Some traditional Christmas meal include Ham, Turkey, Homemade bread, Sorrel (a drink made from a plant),Ponche- de- Crème ( a vision of eggnog), Ginger Beer and my personal favorite Pastelles (a vision of tamales). Unlike traditional fruitcake which is eaten any time throughout the year, in Trinidad and Tobago fruitcake is eaten only at Christmas time. The preserves for the fruit cake are usually soaked in various spirits such as cherry wine, sherry and rum for several months prior to Christmas.
In Trinidad and Tobago, one of the biggest Christmas traditions is to give the house a complete makeover. Traditionally the entire house is cleaned from top to bottom. Windows washed, walls and fences are painted, all exterior renovations and fixes are done, the draperies throughout the house out or replaced with new or improved one's, all linens are cleaned or replaced with new ones to match the decorative traditional Christmas colors [read green and white]. Some people wait until this time of year to purchase new electrical appliances and furniture.

Learning of one's traditions is crucial in everyone's life. It gives insight into their historical roots and history and prepares them for their duties to pass on their family traditions. I believe I am a blessed individual to have come from a multicultural and multinational country where there is so much opportunity to share not only my countries national traditions but my own traditions as well, it is something we all should take to heart and incorporate in our everyday lives.

Works Cited
Parang Lime. Welcome -- Bienvenidos. 28 May 2012 <http://www.parang.itgo.com/>.
Society for Confluence of Festivals in India. "Diwali in Trinidad and Tobago." Diwali Festival of Lights. 28 May 2012 <http://www.diwalifestival.org/diwail-traditions-customs.html>.

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