Kite Runner-the Importance of Family

The Importance of Family The value of family seems to be obvious in every culture around the world. After watching the film, Kite Runner and exploring other materials, it is rather noticeable that the value of family is very important to the Afghan culture. The sense of family roots has driven many to do things they otherwise would not have done. Families may be the primary motivators for some people, either as heroic models or as people whom they fear to disappoint. Regardless of what one’s family turns out to be, family is still family. Many people will go to extreme measures to fulfill a duty that involves family. It may be true that the bond between family members is stronger than any other bond known to man. The value of family unity is apparent when it comes to the child’s growth at a young age. What is less apparent is the influence of family in an individual’s later life. The continual and steady presence of one’s family life has a great influential power and may be one of the greatest factors that determines the type of person they will become. When most think of family, they think of togetherness. Togetherness brings about a type of unity and bond that you cannot find anywhere else. This idea togetherness was included by being stated that “as far as I can tell, none of my Afghan relatives was ever alone or ever wanted to be” (Ansary). In the Afghan culture, the idea of not being surrounded by family is something that is looked down on. In fact, not being around family is rarely even an option. In the Afghan culture you are always surround by your family. Different cultures suggest different ways in which you are tied to your family. Some suggest that you should always be around them, while others suggest that one might need a bit of separation to realize the good things they may be missing. The American culture operates similar to that as well, it is said that “we need solitude, because when we’re alone, we’re free from obligations…”(Ansary). Every

Cited: Ansary, Mir Tamim. West of Kabul, East of New York: An Afghan American Story. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2002. Print. The Kite Runner. Dir. Marc Forster. Prod. William Horberg, Walter F. Parkes, RebecYeldham, and E. Bennett Walsh. By David Benioff. Perf. Khalid Abdalla and Homayoun Ershadi. Paramount Vantage, 2007.