Why do some parents refuse to teach their native language?

[Anonymous]

My parents were immigrant children long ago (both were 5 year-olds), father from El Salvador and mother from Mexico.

Yet, only English was spoken at home. They refused to teach me Spanish. I started practicing it on my own a couple years ago. I'm still not very fluent but have been improving.

Why do some parents refuse to teach their native language?

Updates

+1 y

By refusing I feel they made me lost part of my heritage. I could've communicated more with the hispanic community.
Here I am: clearly latina in appearances, Spanish last name but not fluent in the Spanish. I'm catching up though.

[Madhatter920]

My grandma was Japanese and didn't teach any of her children to speak it or anything about the culture. She was concerned that if she did, her children would be bullied or targeted by violence. She wanted them to fit in with white people as much as possible. So out of fear, I assume.

[suisuiola]

I feel like refuse is a strong word in some cases. I think some parents just aren't comfortable speaking in their native language and would much rather talking in one they can easily communicate in and some just don't have the time to teach you. For example in my case, I only started learning English after I entered an American school before that I would only speak Japanese, because that's what my parents felt comfortable with.

[AlexanderAnttila]

I dunno, have you asked them? Maybe they sought a better life in wherever you live now and wanted to cut cultural ties completely.

[Asker]

They thought it was not important and just didn't feel like teaching it. They became too Americanized to the point of not speaking any Spanish to bilinguals nor watching anything in Spanish.
They will only speak it to my grandparents, oldest relatives or if someone only speaks Spanish. Only if neccesary.

[Asker]

Yes they purposely distance me from a pretty culture. I think it's beautiful.

[7771999]

They are some of the few people trying to integrate properly

[Asker]

It would've been easier if they would've taught me. Being part of another culture/heritage is something to be proud of.

[7771999]

I guess, yes. But you're a part of a society where you don't need it. And it would be another thing that would segregate you from the rest of society. You'd want to live near people who speak Spanish.

[Asker]

I was going to move to Hialeah, Florida in the start of last year but the pandemic happened. I'll just continue practicing on my own and maybe talk to more hispanics online for the meantime.

[7771999]

See, you want to be around your own. Why don't people understand this?

This is what happens when the US wants to open its arms to everyone. In the end, no one will feel American

[Joshua0213]

Because its not useful in your country probably