Loading ...10 Challenges Arab Teenagers Face in America
By Laila Elreedi/ Contributing Writer
Countless times, we, as teens have heard adults claim, “teens these days have it easy.” I mean, let’s face it, we do have access to a great number of services and instant resources and information at our fingertips through smartphones and apps. We can simply check the weather, get directions, listen to music, and read the news, all through the apps on our cell phone.
Adults tend to think that smartphones are such an advantage for us teens, but does that really make life nowadays easier for us?
As teens, we still have to worry about many other different and controversial issues, like societal norms in the forever-developing world. Specifically, as teens of Arab background, there are a great number of adversities we need to face and overcome.
- Our Names
Americans have a hard time pronouncing Ahmed or Mohammed or Aida, or Khaled. It’s just not in American’s terminology to say a harsh: “Aine ع–a’in” “H–ح”, or “Kh–خ” or “tha–ظ” or “taa–ط”, etc. Many of us teens get embarrassed and frustrated; we struggle teaching others how our names are vocalized. That’s why we use nicknames when we order at Starbucks.
- Racial Profiling in Schools
School is hard as it is. With all the homework, projects, and tests, it can be overwhelming at times. Now, imagine facing racism in school. Think about it for a second. Yes, we thankfully live in America, where we, as citizens, have the right to believe what we want and be ourselves freely. Unfortunately, there are some close-minded, arrogant people who have their misunderstandings. They call us names and ask us to go back home, although this is our home.
As Arab American teens, we should take notice of this racial profiling plague. Authoritative figures may pick on us and also treat us differently. They may blame us for disturbances that we did not do, or fights we did not start. We don’t have a choice, but stand up for ourselves, preserve our dignity, and stop apologizing for negative acts we did not even do.
Since the 2016 presidential election, bullying got even much worse for us teens in schools. We get blamed for all violence in America; although, we condemn it because we too are Americans and are negatively affected by it like all others around us. We are definitely picked on for being Arab Americans. At times, it can get overwhelming and pushy. It’s sad that many schools do not address this issue swiftly and decisively.
- Stares
We hate feeling like we are being watched or stared at. It always happens to us when we speak Arabic to our Arab American friends or over the phone. Some people look at us like we’re speaking gibberish (which to them, we are). It’s sad that we can’t be proud that we know another language; especially, considering that Arabic is one of the most spoken languages in the world and has been announced by President George Bush (the son) that it’s one of the most important languages to learn in America.
- Stereotypes
On television, Arab women fall into this dichotomy between wearing a burka or being a belly dancer. So what does that lead non-Arab viewers to think? As a teen, and maybe even onwards, many assumptions are made about us based on others’ stereotypes of us. For example, we teens come across fellow students that think we are very rich because of “oil money.” This truly makes us laugh; especially, when they tease us and call us “terrorist”.
- Maintaining Cultural Demeanors
According to our parents, we teenagers must maintain a positive and kind demeanor towards parents’ extended families, and their friends. We’re not supposed to show anger or sadness. In fact, it’s very impolite to call adult family members and friends by their first names; instead, we’re asked to call them: Ammo (uncle) and Khalti/Amti (aunt).
- High Expectations at Home
Challenges are also faced at home especially for us females. We’re expected to help keep our homes clean, help in cooking, help in rearing younger siblings, and accompany parents to family and friends’ gatherings, even if we don’t know them.
- Friends
It’s difficult for us to behave like other teenagers: visit friends at their homes, spend the night there, and mix with the other gender at early age. Parents explain that this is not acceptable because they don’t know the families, their visitors, and neither the potential boy/girlfriends. They say that it’s not only unacceptable, but it is also dangerous physically and mentally.
- Intimate Relationships
We also aren’t suppose to date unless the dating partner is suitable for marriage. The teens should be cautious about building intimate relationship with young partners from other ethnic and religious backgrounds. In addition, it’s a taboo to speak about sex, intimacy, children out of a wedlock, and gay relationships.
- Proper Dress
Clothing for most of us female teenagers has to be modest. Very low skirts and shorts are not acceptable, neither are revealing tops. As the family says: aibe/shame, “it might ruin your reputation.” Parents explain that this attire is against our culture and our religion. It potentially may encourage sexual harassment and rape.
- Shaping our Identities.
It is known that the identity shaping mostly takes place in adolescence. Especially for Arab teenagers, who have to overcome all above mentioned difficulties. The identity shaping process can be an extra challenge. Arab teenagers have the challenge to navigate between acculturation into the new society and preservation of their own heritage.