Cultural traditions and norms influence the way in which Amir meets his wife, Soraya. In a reading response structure, retell the way in which Amir meets Soraya; discuss the cultural traditions which take place in the formation of their relationship (how they meet, the role of her father, role of Amir's father, Soraya's confession, etc); relate to the way in which culture influences the love life of individuals. Does you culture have traditions and cultural rules you must follow to begin a relationship and get married?

 

Amir has met Soraya in a flea market in which Amir and his father is also working at. Soraya is an Afghan young woman that Amir is attracted to however because of their cultural background they cannot talk with one another alone as it is seen as promiscuous which can taint or damage the girl's background and reputation from marrying. Whenever they would attempt to talk there should always someone accompanying them like Soraya's mother or the father of Amir should ask for permission/request when Amir would want to talk to Soraya. Their cultural background hinders them from being alone or even just talk to each other without chaperones.

However, Soraya adapting and living an American life makes it as a lewd action from the culture she grew up in, and when his father brought him home he shaved Soraya's hair as a sign of shamefulness because the she brought shame or tainted their families' background.

One's culture can be seen positive or negative in an individual person's lovelife. Soraya for example is a girl that has a conservative cultural influence but lived an American way of life, and has been shaved and shamed because of that. This can be a negative effect in the individual's life because she is not allowed to be able to meet someone freely and has to be abide always in their culture, and once they rebelled against it, there are consequences. However, it does not only apply to Afghan culture. There are a lot of cultures and/or families that are conservative whenever it concerns love or marriage. For instance, in a Filipino community the guy should court the girl and her family to be able to get their approval for marriage. In a Korean marriage, there should be a Korean Ceremony when they marry someone outside their race. In Muslim countries, PDA's are not allowed and in some countries like Saudi a guy and girl that are dating should not be walking side by side.

Cultural influences are not only the factors that affects ones individual's love life but as well as their family and religion. There are a lot of conservative families that has requirements to be met in able to be married to their son/daughter and there are also families that are open-minded.

Soraya has said that being a girl is unfair as there are double standards. The virginity of girl should be kept until marriage, however, guy's can sleep around. There are a lot of expectations from a girl that they should be pure before marriage, they should do this in the marriage, that they should learn household chores and etc. Being a girl should not be a hindrance to any of the privileges in love and marriage but sadly, it exists. Although, it differs from one person to another person's point of view but these cultural influences exists and affects one's lovelife.

But as we are already in the 21st century, a lot of people are becoming open-minded in ways of love and getting married which can be seen as an opportunity to change cultural influences and make way to new ones.