So, what is it that seperates the Indian children in India and Indian children brought up out of India. Lets take specific cases. Personally I feel (and I did say personally, so ...) , that its not the children who get confused in such cases and its often the parents who cannot for the life of them decide whether to bring up their children Indian way or the ways of where they are and probably are going to be residing. The problem starts , boy or girl, when they reach the adolescense. Till then, its kind of OK. You can afford to be lenient, let them do what their friends are doing, for- childhood I feel is not bound by cultural differences. I mean, who cares if you child is wearing a slip and playing in the mud or sporting a swim suit and going for swimming classes. But you would care if the child in question grows up and starts demanding to be let go on dates, sleep overs, etc etc. Now now ! Thats not how we were brought up right? Why do you have to stay over at someone's when your father can easily pick you up in the night and bring you home? Whats this silly concept of sleep over that children are so hung up on? And how can I allow you to get a driving license when you have just turned 17 !! And why should you go for a summer job while studying? Hasnt it been drummed into our heads that once you get interested in earning money studies take a back seat? Then why this need to be independent? Amidst all these questions, its the kids who get grinded. Not allowed to be like those whom they have grown up with, and not knowing how to be like those "belonging to their culture", they often teether from one side to the other - and finally - oh no ! Don't even for a minute think they do what you bid them to. You brought them up, taught them so many thing. As much as you know them, they know you back. They know what you need to hear and what will keep you happy, so ultimately they give you that and do what they have to (peer pressure is not something to be laughed about please !) "under cover". Motto -"what you dont know is not going to hurt you". But there is one very funny thing I have begum to notice. Parents abroad are more and more forcing their children to conform to our indian culture whereas parents here are proudly announcing how they are become broad minded and dont mind certain things which were not even thought about in their days. Funny thing this "culture" is - so flexible that you can change is as you go along. Great !!