Why Are Traditions Important?

Family traditions are stories, beliefs, rituals, and customs that are passed from one generation to the next, teaching children family values.

I have learned from my sociology class that other traditions are often neglected. However, the equal importance of knowing one's own tradition, values, and beliefs to relate more effectively across traditional lines.

Using the fish analogy I learned from that class, "we are like a fish in a fishbowl". The fish swims inside the bowl surrounded by water and glass, but unaware of their presence. Most importantly, the fish does not realize these substances alter its view of the outside world. Our tradition is like water and glass. We see the world through a distorting screen created by our deeply held, often subconscious, values and beliefs. Thinking about this analogy is way different than experiencing it firsthand.

“we are like a fish in a fishbowl...”

Traditions are beautiful and should be shared among others so we can celebrate together, creating diversity and culture. One thing people among different cultures with different traditions have in common is that we all believe in one thing, it should be passed down from one generation to the next.

Back to the fish analogy, I would rather experience a fishbowl with colorful fish than a fishbowl with the same colored fish.

Growing up with a white household only a little bit of German descent, my siblings and I didn't experience many traditions. So we created our own. For example, on the holidays, we baked dozens of cookies, made homemade ornaments, and ate a food called dumplings. Our traditions may not have seemed too different, but it was still a tradition I hope to pass down to my children one day. Because spending just one day with my family was rare, as my siblings grew up. The time spent with my family is something I value and hold dear to my heart.

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