Is it possible to raise a Canadian in the US?

[Amanda-Lise 0]

My sweet little boy has just turned one year and got me thinking.... Is is possible for him to grow up in the US in the US school system and still be able to identify himself as a Canadian? Will he grow up and develope Canadian pride or is he "doomed" to be patriotic American? (I use doomed with the nicest Canadian sarcasim ) We live so close to the border and will spend lots of time in Canada at the Canadian residence plus his Mommy is dedicated in her profession of protecting the Canadian society but will it still be enough?

I have talked to various dual Can/AM people that live in the US. Some which were born in Canada, some that have their Canadian citizenship derived from a Canadian parent but all have basically lived and grown up in the US. The majority of them identify themselves as an American and being considered a Canadian as well is more of a novelty notion than an identity for them.

Thoughts anyone?

My 2 still strongly identify with being Canadian, I hope that sticks with them. They love being here, their school friends, etc, but they very badly want to go back home for a visit, and they talk often about missing this or that from back home. I do my best to speak French a good part of the time that they are home (I found its better for me too, if I'm not using it daily it seems to slip away on me, and its so easy to not speak it here because hardly anyone else does) we celebrate the canadian holidays as well. Id really like them to carry both cultures with them.

[PurgNCutie 0]

My niece who lives in Canada is half Chinese and her parents have the same concern about her remembering her Chinese heritage. She takes Chinese lessons and learns about the culture, but is an integrated Canadian through and through.

I think under the circumstances, your best hope lies in helping your son learn that he is MORE than an American - he is a true NORTH AMERICAN - a child who is from both the US and from Canada - and perhaps allow him to develop a greater sense of cultural consciousness. That will be your job, to find ways to integrate 'Canadianism' into him as he becomes Americanized. I think it is a good thing that we are all moving to a greater global awareness and your son has an opportunity to present the best of this endeavour. Good luck.

Beer, KD and HP sauce is all I need from home.

[Stuart and Thea 95]

I think under the circumstances, your best hope lies in helping your son learn that he is MORE than an American - he is a true NORTH AMERICAN - a child who is from both the US and from Canada - and perhaps allow him to develop a greater sense of cultural consciousness. That will be your job, to find ways to integrate 'Canadianism' into him as he becomes Americanized. I think it is a good thing that we are all moving to a greater global awareness and your son has an opportunity to present the best of this endeavour. Good luck.

More than an American - Canadian??

I'm really hoping that there are some subtle ways to enlighten my son, knowing that there will be mostly peer brainwashing to fit in to the stereotypical American ideal. We're seeing the branding of the teenager going on here in Canada too, and I'm concerned that the lack of diversity, or the American perspective in school will override that which we as Canadians are, more globally minded, more diverse, and yes, more than Americans in that regard. The very fact that Canada is so diverse within itself is not grounds to say Canada has no culture, we are a culture of diversity. I really hope that there is some way to retain that in the middle of America.

Any updates from the posters in the thread three years later to say how their children fare on the Canadian/American scale?

My son can't wait to be an American, says he hates Canada, can't wait to go, so I've already threatened to beat him if I hear him saying zee....

[Udella&Wiz 325]

More than an American - Canadian??

I'm really hoping that there are some subtle ways to enlighten my son, knowing that there will be mostly peer brainwashing to fit in to the stereotypical American ideal. We're seeing the branding of the teenager going on here in Canada too, and I'm concerned that the lack of diversity, or the American perspective in school will override that which we as Canadians are, more globally minded, more diverse, and yes, more than Americans in that regard. The very fact that Canada is so diverse within itself is not grounds to say Canada has no culture, we are a culture of diversity. I really hope that there is some way to retain that in the middle of America.

Any updates from the posters in the thread three years later to say how their children fare on the Canadian/American scale?

My son can't wait to be an American, says he hates Canada, can't wait to go, so I've already threatened to beat him if I hear him saying zee....

I can speak as a parent of a teenager - we arrived 3½ + yrs ago. I don't think I ever posted at the time, but 3 yrs later I can see why people want to keep Canada alive in their children's memories and values, but I also see value in allowing your child to integrate where they live. We cannot force our children to have so called 'Canadian values', as if everything here in a America is some how not good enough there's a fine line there.

If you raise your child to be considerate of others, they will be - if they are well travelled (whether it's back to Canada or elsewhere) it will expose them to a wider variety of cultures and values.

My daughter spent the first 15 yrs of her life in Canada so she soaked up a whole lot of Canadian-ness on her own. She has indeed picked up some American traits which are a nice combo - she'll never be entirely one or the other, I'm not really worried about it if she says zed or zee....she has to live here and she would like to fit in. She's had enough people point out how different she is as it is.

Guess this doesn't answer much.....based on the area we live in, I would say my daughter is far more polite then most kids, slightly (only slightly ) less entitled and basically as self-centred as the rest of the teens here.

[Colleens 40]

Even though my little girl is only 7 months old, I already talk to her about Canada. We read stories about Canada and I will try to find some canadian kids shows on-line that she can watch now and then as well. We also try to expose her to some British things as well since Hubby is a dual US/British citizen (he was born in England). We will do our best to ensure that she has as much exposure to her other citizenships as we can and hopefully she will soak up and learn to appreciate all the things that make Canada and England great countries as well.