Cultural differences create a divide
In the article "For 'New Danes,' Differences Create a Divide", Roger Cohen tells the love story of a young Turkish/New Danish couple who have had to endure the profound pain of family intolerance, but nonetheless have proven the old saying "love shall prevail" to be true by sticking together "for good and for worse."Bunyamin, son of Ali Simsek, is a true Dane in all but appearance, religion, and cultural traditions. He speaks fluent Danish, has a circle of Danish friends, and act like any "normal" Danish teenage boy would do, when he is away from home. At home, he is Turkish, pays his respect to his God, family and cultural idols, and act like a young Turkish man would do. Ali Simsek however, has not bothered to integrate into the Danish society. He is not able to speak the Danish language and he takes great pride in being chosen to be the spiritual leader of the many Turkish families living in the Aarhus district, which means that he, at all times, must act exceptionally well by Islam standards. Ali Simsek does not want Bunyamin to be Danish however, and thus he arranges a marriage for his son with the daughter of his best friend, who still lives in Turkey. Bunyamin, who has not even thought the option of declining this arran
After long consideration, Bunyamin finally decides to pursue his own happiness rather than his fathers. However, it is not so much because of the influx of foreigners. Their problems being no more serious than arguing about who cooks dinner and who feeds the cat. I believe that a little variety can be a good thing, provided that the potential new citizens obey the Danish law, adapt to Danish norms in coexistence and taking measures to support themselves and their families. I, like Nils Preiser3, am opposed to these marriages because I cherish the concept of free speech and the pursuit of happiness. Bunyamin feels awkward and embarrassed to bring her to see his friends, when she is wearing a veil and no make up. Their marriage as opposed to the one with Sorgul, is blissfull. The story has a happy ending concerning Bunyamin's father too. "2 I, myself, am also very much against arranged marriages. Ali Simsek, however, denies his son happiness by immediately announcing that if he divorces Sorgul, he will be disowned. "4 If I were an employer, I would definitely not accept my employees "wasting" precious work hours due to praying and if they would not refrain from doing so, I would insist that it be done during the breaks in isolated areas so that it would not distract my other workers. They share both mentality and customs, which makes them perfect for one another. I strongly regard arranged marriages as being a direct violation of these values as the "couple-to-be" neither have any saying in the matter whatsoever nor are they likely ever to be truly happy.
Common topics in this essay:
Ali Simsek,
Poul Rasmussen,
Turkish/New Danish,
Roger Cohen's,
Turkey Bunyamin,
Nils Preiser3,
Bunyamin Danish,
ali simsek,
Roger Cohen,
Bunyamin Fatma's,
danish society,
,
arranged marriages,
speak danish language,
divorces sorgul,
native danes,
turkish/new danish,
accepts marriage,
danish language,
love story,
speak danish,
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Acceptance Essays
