Igbo American Culture

Yet a third comparison that can be highlighted between Igbo and American people is the role women assume in each of their societies. The little credit women in Igbo societies receive comes entirely from the praise and comfort of their children. As children grow up, their mother is beside them every step of the way. Mothers provide nourishment to their children; they entertain them with stories; they teach them morals and values, and they comfort them in times of need. Children in the Igbo culture develop a deep sense of attachment to their mothers because of this. In the novel it is stated that “when a father beats his child, it seeks sympathy in its mother’s hut” (Achebe, 1959, p. 82). Their mother offers security and calms them. This sense of protection is sought by children

82). The idea of mothers being viewed in this sense is widespread. American culture highlights women as the icon for tending after their home and children as well. Just like Igbo children, American children confide in their mothers. They seek advice and comfort in their mothers and even grandmothers. To this I can attest. I have grown to form an unbreakable bond with my grandmother that nothing can equate to. Whether I am frustrated, sick, excited, lonely, or scared, I share everything with my grandma. She is my source of shelter and can provide light to any circumstance. No matter how dreadful or dreary something may seem, mothers and grandmothers can fix it. However, in American culture women are able to make social advancements while still acting as a motherly figure. Today, women hold positions as doctors, lawyers, lawmakers, bank tellers, and many other professions. At night, they go home to their family and serve as the motherly figure they have always been known for. American women experience the best of both worlds. They are not strictly bound to the limits of their home like Igbo women