One cannot help but ask whether the use of the limited resources of the community should not be more diversified to respond to its members' varied needs. When a person's expectations are not met in the adopted homeland, difficult adjustments can become necessary and much individual and family stress may develop. Although one cannot deny that changes have also occurred back home, the temptation is strong to believe that if they had remained in their own countries, they would have experienced aging more as a normal part of life, modelling themselves on their parents' and grandparents' behaviour. Despite the impact of the acculturation process inherent in immigration, many traditions do manage to remain alive in the community. The extended family system still remains central to many Indo-Canadians and has an important influence on values and behaviour.
Parental authority is often still strong, and children's conduct is influenced by their parents.
Each member of a family considers him or herself also to be part of an extended family as well as an independent individual. In many families, where possible, important decisions are not made without consultation with the whole family. Some traditions are gradually disappearing, however, under the influence of mainstream values and material limitations. One example involves the responsibilities of adult children toward their elderly parents. Although families are still the main source of social support of the elderly in the community, this support can cause stress within the family.