I felt the weight of my mom’s expectations about how I should behave. I was headstrong, stubborn, talkative, and a bit boisterous. I was also emotional, a crier, and wanted to connect with people and express myself. In our Ghanaian culture, sharing personal matters outside the home is frowned upon, so even writing this article feels like I might be crossing a line. Lorraine explains, “this clash between individual desires and cultural expectations often leads to silent resentment.” I felt this tension, too. But looking back, I realize my mom was still figuring me out — what she could mould and what would stick. After all, no parent wants to raise a know-it-all who’s rude to their elders.
