Written by YourPlace Therapy, Mental Health Practice
Your Place Therapy champions compassionate mental health care with a special commitment to AAPI representation. Based in NYC, their team of licensed social workers provides empathetic and inclusive care, empowering clients to start with where they're at.
As we are in the midst of the summer, it is the time of the year for school breaks, vacations, and warm weather. The season offers opportunities for families to come together, with children and teens on summer break and the added activities in the warm weather.
Families make the most of these times to connect, share experiences, and build bonds with their loved ones. So, we ask the question, “What is summer for your family?”, to encourage a greater appreciation for the diverse ways in which people experience this time of year. Exploring the diverse perspectives on common summer experiences, such as vacations, family bonding, and outdoor activities, deepens our empathy and bridges generational gaps. By recognizing how different ages and backgrounds perceive these shared moments, we build stronger connections and a greater appreciation for each other’s viewpoints.
We want to highlight the summer experiences of those in the API (Asian Pacific Islander) community. The API community's experiences offer valuable insights into some generational dynamics within families tied with their culture. We gathered a collection of accounts of people of varying API identities and generations. We are one community but within it, there is a plethora of different experiences and stories that the season brings.
A collection of summer stories
When you think of summer, what feelings or images come to mind?
“When I think of summer, it is time of vacation for students. It means that there are a lot of children who have free time for themselves and parents who usually have work take days off for their family to have fun time and have vacation.” – 70-year-old retired Filipino mother in the Philippines
“Since I am a college student, when I think of summer, I imagine it being hot and I think of work. Summer is the time to prepare for the next semester.” - 23-year old 1st generation Korean immigrant student
“When I think of summer, I think of the hot sun that's beaming down on me. I can just feel the uncomfortably hot and humid NYC subway stations that get hotter than the real temperature outside. I hate the summer.” – 17-year-old Chinese incoming freshman college student
“When I think of summer, I think of the beach, hot air, vacation, traveling, and smiling.” – Vietnamese Immigrant Mother
Do you?/ how do you use summer to spend time with your family?
“Summer is the only time my family gets together. We usually take a trip together in the U.S.” – 21-year old 2nd generation Indian American
“I spend time with my family by going to church and eating dinner with them.” – 13-year old 2nd generation Indian-American student
“We spend time together with movie nights, gardening, annoying each other, and other activities because it’s the best way to see each other in an authentic light.” 20-year old Chinese sophomore college student
“During summer, it is our tradition to have a family get together or bonding. We wake up late, spend time at home, go on picnics, cycle, and eat street food.” 70-year-old retired Filipino mother in the Philippines
What is one summer memory related to your family that you cherish?
“What I cherished the most on summer days is when we are complete family. Eating at the restaurant and do some strolling around town.” – 70-year-old retired Filipino mother in the Philippines
“Before I immigrated USA, our family used to go to the water park and eat BBQ every summer vacation. I think that was a cherished memory for me” – 23-year old 1st generation Korean immigrant student
“Going to India to visit family. I went to India to celebrate my birthday, and there were a lot of people from my village who wished me and my brother happy birthday, when they did not know because who me and my brother are. It was nice to see the community come together even though did not know us.” – 13-year old 2nd generation Indian-American student
“Going to the beaches in Texas when I was younger. My parents are both blue-collar workers and we didn’t have a lot of money but made it a point go somewhere once a summer. We would stay at a motel with our blankets and towels over the bedsheets, cook ramen in the hot water boiler, and grill food. My siblings and I loved the beach and it was the best vacation ever.” – 40-year old 2nd generation Vietnamese American
Is there a specific tradition or activity that defines summer for your family?
“A specific tradition that defines summer for my family would be our semi annual Pennsylvania road trips where we rent an AirBNB for 2-3 nights and spend time together with other close friend's families. Everyone just has a lot of fun talking, eating, drinking (non-alcoholic beverages) and spending time together!” – 17-year-old Chinese incoming freshman college student
“Every summer, my mom usually tries to find a place for my family and/or friends to go on a trip to basically anywhere and it ends up being a great experience since we don't get to travel as much throughout the year. It also is a great opportunity to really appreciate when and where you are and take photos to remember too.” – 15-year-old Chinese rising junior high student
“When it's summer, we usually go to church together and after that we go to rivers and waterfalls to overcome the heat of a summer.” – 70-year-old retired Filipino mother in the Philippines
We also liked to visit my Father’s hometown which is an island in Korea. So we used to go beach a lot-23-year old 1st generation Korean immigrant student
How does your cultural background influence your family's summer activities?
“My family helps run the church, so during summer, we try to gather and invite the Indian community. Striving to gain engagement by hosting food events.” – 13-year old 2nd generation Indian-American Student
“My cultural background doesn't really influence my family activities except for the fact that we have certain days where we celebrate different occasions and I guess that and the activities we do can be considered as being influenced by my cultural as backgrounds. I'm not sure of what specific days we do it but there are time of the year where we make [glutinous rice balls] and there is a savory, which is usually served in a type of soup, and sweet option, which is served in a brown sugar water-like mixture. Every family makes their [glutinous rice balls] differently but this is just how my family makes it, some even add fillings to theirs” – 15-year old Chinese rising junior high student
Since Korea is bounded on three sides by the sea also we could go to any beach by drive 40 min. A lot of Koreans go beach in summer. – 23-year old 1st generation Korean immigrant student
“Summertime is used to visit family because family is a big thing in Vietnam” – Vietnamese Immigrant Mother
How have your summer experiences with family changed over the years?
“Before, I used to go on trips with my family a lot but now I tend to go on trips by myself or with friends.” – 21-year old 2nd generation Indian American
“We don’t travel as much as we get older. So finding time to travel while getting older is hard because of work etc.” – Vietnamese Immigrant Mother
“My summer experience over the years really makes me grateful for how far I've come in terms of family longevity if that makes sense. I've taken time to appreciate the time we spend with our family knowing that it will eventually not happen as often anymore as we all get older and have more life-long experiences.” – 15-year-old Chinese rising junior high student
“When I was in college, my family vacations stopped and we never had one for the next 15 years. I spent my half my adulthood without a family vacation. Looking back, I wish we did. Right before my dad passed, for our last family trip, we got to Washington D.C. which was one place he wanted to travel to, which I am glad we were able to do. I am glad to reflect on this now because I learn to appreciate these moments and take it more seriously.” 40-year old 2nd generation Vietnamese American
For future summers, how would you like to connect or continue to connect with your family? Are there any activities you would like to include or continue to have during the summertime?
“For future summers, I’d hope to be able to go to China and meet my relatives there. I went back twice time as a kid, but I was too young to remember most of what happened. Since I was so young, I never really was able to fully connect with my relatives and I want to take the opportunity to finally have talks with them now that I am older.” – 17-year-old Chinese incoming freshman college student
“I would really love to have an all-out summer vacation with my whole family. My family is only going to get bigger so I want for all of us [my brother & his family, sister, and mom] one time in the summer, nothing fancy, and be under the same roof. It is also my goal to go back to Vietnam with my mom every year.” – 40-year old 2nd generation Vietnamese American
“I like it when my family goes to the mall. My mom will get to know what we like and we can bond by talking to each other and finding out our interests. I would rather go out to eat dinner with my family rather go on vacation because we get to unload and talk more with each other. I feel happy during these times because I get to bond more with my brothers, by talking.” – 13-year old 2nd generation Indian-American student
“I would like to travel to a lot of places. Keeping our summer traditions like going to beaches and having picnics are great too.” – Molina, 70-year-old retired Filipino mother in the Philippines
The meaning of summer
Summertime memories aren’t only about grand extravagant trips; it can also be meaningful activities that nurture the bonds between family and friends. These interviews highlight the diverse perspectives of each generation's bonding experience and the memories created help maintain and build family connections through shared experiences. Understanding the varying stories fosters a greater sense of empathy and understanding within families. It offers a reflection on the importance of staying connected to each other despite generational differences. To continue nurturing and growing new bonds, it's important to actively contemplate ways to embrace old traditions with new experiences and allow both generations to contribute to these cherished memories that will forever have an influence on lives and relationships. If you are looking for ways to stay connected with family, check out our article: Summer Activities To Connect Children And Parents
Read more from YourPlace Therapy
YourPlace Therapy, Mental Health Practice
YourPlace Therapy is a New York City-based mental health practice dedicated to advancing emotional wellness with a focus on AAPI representation. Their skilled team of AAPI mental health clinicians emphasize personalized, inclusive care that center the client as partners for growth. Passionate about fostering safe spaces and supportive environments, they help individuals from diverse backgrounds achieve personal growth and a stronger sense of self.
