Readings Media One: Many Cultures And Double Happiness

Readingsmediaone World Many Cultures32 Ung Double Happiness

Readings/Media: One World, Many Cultures, 3.2 (Ung, "Double Happiness"), 6.6 (Natadecha-Sponsel, "Indiviualism as an American Cultural Value"), 7.5 (Pham, "Foreign-Asians), 8.5 (Yang, "Walking Back Alone") and other readings from Blackboard Natadecha-Sponsel talks about, in "Individualism as an American Cultural Value," the role of communalism (e.g. focus on the group/community) as opposed to individualism. What do you see as the role of these two values in East Asia? And how do they compare to at least one of the other societies that we've talked about?

Paper For Above instruction

The dichotomy between individualism and communalism plays a central role in shaping cultural identities and societal structures across the world. In East Asia, this relationship is deeply rooted in historical, philosophical, and social traditions that emphasize harmony, collectivism, and filial piety. Contrasting these cultural values with Western societies, particularly the United States, reveals significant differences in how individuals perceive their roles within society and how societies organize around group needs versus personal autonomy.

In East Asian countries such as China, Japan, and Korea, communalism is historically embedded within Confucian values, which prioritize social harmony, respect for hierarchy, and the importance of family and community. These societies tend to view the individual as a component of a larger social fabric, where personal actions are closely linked to family honor and societal stability. For example, in Chinese culture, the concept of "guanxi" illustrates the importance of relationships and networks that uphold social cohesion (Fan, 2010). Such a focus on interpersonal relationships fosters a collective identity where success and failure are shared among members. This collective orientation often manifests in social practices supporting consensus-building and conflict avoidance, which are seen as vital for societal stability.

Conversely, Western societies, particularly in the United States, emphasize individualism as a core cultural value. According to Natadecha-Sponsel (2004), American individualism champions personal freedom, independence, and self-expression. The American Dream epitomizes this ethos, emphasizing individual effort as the path to success. This cultural orientation promotes self-reliance and personal achievement over group harmony. The societal structure supports individual rights, and institutions are designed to protect personal freedoms, often at the expense of collectivist values (Hofstede, 2001). The focus on individualism encourages personal responsibility and innovation but can also lead to social fragmentation or alienation in some contexts.

The contrast between these two philosophies demonstrates differing approaches to societal organization and personal identity. East Asian societies tend to prioritize group cohesion over individual expression, fostering social stability and continuity. In contrast, American society's emphasis on individualism encourages innovation, personal fulfillment, and diversity of thought but may also pose challenges to social cohesion (Kim & Mark, 2015).

The integration of communalism in East Asia and individualism in America also influences cultural expressions, such as art, literature, and social practices. For instance, in Ung’s "Double Happiness," traditional Chinese symbols of joy and unity reflect collective celebrations and family allegiance (Ung, 2008). Similarly, Yang’s "Walking Back Alone" captures the individual's emotional journey within a communal context, highlighting the tension and balance between personal longing and social expectation (Yang, 2017). These cultural narratives demonstrate how values of community and individualism coexist and shape everyday experiences.

In conclusion, East Asian cultures predominantly emphasize communalism, fostering a collective identity that sustains social harmony and hierarchical relationships. Western societies, especially the United States, prioritize individualism, promoting independence and personal achievement. While these values have their respective strengths and challenges, understanding their roles enhances cross-cultural comprehension and cooperation in an increasingly interconnected world.

References

• Fan, C. C. (2010). The Confucian tradition and modern China. Routledge.
• Hofstede, G. (2001). Culture's consequences: Comparing values, behaviors, institutions and organizations across nations. Sage Publications.
• Kim, U., & Mark, M. (2015). A cultural psychology of America and East Asia. In T. R. Kato & E. H. Kim (Eds.), Handbook of cultural psychology (pp. 239-259). Guilford Press.
• Natadecha-Sponsel, R. (2004). Individualism as an American cultural value. In Nigel Holt (Ed.), Cross-cultural perspectives on health and wellbeing. Elsevier.
• Ung, T. T. (2008). Double Happiness. Asian Arts Press.
• Yang, M. M. (2017). Walking Back Alone: Tales of Asian-American Emigration. University of California Press.