White washed

I was raised in Virginia and lived in the states all my life. When someone asks what I am I simply respond by saying "I'm an American." After a couple seconds of blank stares they ask again "No, I mean what are you?" and once again I say "I'm an American." Although I know the answer that they are looking for is for me to say that I'm Indian but thats just not completely true. Yes, my parents are Indian and I am from Indian decent but I see myself as an American. I don't see the harm in telling people that I am an American rather than an Indian because American society and culture is all I have ever known but to my parents and other family and friends that makes me white washed. My parents came to the United States in order to have a better life but what they didnt realize is that not only would it be a better life but it would be a much different life as well. They expected me to grow up having american friends and going to american schools and yet for me to stick to the strict and ridiculous ways from how they were raised back in India. What confuses me the most is if they wanted me to grow up like a "good indian girl" should then why did they raise me here? Their refusal to adapt to american culture has altered my life in so many ways. It has put me in a place where I dont know who I am or where I belong. Im very content with the person that I am but to my parents being "white washed" is by far the worst thing that they could have in a daughter.

In my parents eyes a perfect daughter is one who does not have the right to speak her mind or be and independent strong woman. She is to listen to everything her parents say and live the life they choose for her. A general idea of the perfect life for a young woman is for her to do well all throughout school, get married in her early twenties by someone her parents choose, continue to go to school until she becomes a doctor and then live with her husband and her in-laws forever. this isnt the life i want to live.