Friday

From USA to INDIA

I'm going to import the idea to my own country, India, as I have a better understanding of it's culture (and cultural practices), norms, rituals and beliefs, ideologies, laws, etc.

Below is a differentiation table I devised, between the CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS of USA and India.

CULTURAL VALUES

FAMILYINDIAN VALUES


Clan - A quasi system of fraternalism; and prestige a dependency on individual responsibility the nearest to the clan; a greater pressure exists in the nuclear clan than anything comparable in the dominant society; a relationship gives security and identity.
NON-INDIAN VALUES


Nuclear family - Secruity and prestige found within the confines of the nearest relatives and especially in the nuclear family. (Can it be argued that there is even less and less of the nuclear family? Boy Scouts, Brownies, Golf Clubs, Bridge Clubs?)
TRANSMISSION OF CULTUREBy word of mouthBy writing books.
PEACEHarmony - Cosmic harmony is sought; individual is concerned personally with the entire cosmos.Personal peace - a personal harmony is sought within the individual person.
HEALTHThe body and soul are one; health is synonymous with the harmony of body and soul with nature.A scientific viewpoint is taken to the restoration of bodily health.
TIMENatural time regulates their activities with a NOW orientation.Clock time regulates with a FUTURE orientation
WILL POWERFatalism; man cannot alter events and he must constantly attempt to restore all things to their original harmony.
Self-determination - The world can be altered by man's will. He tries to create God.
OWNERSHIPClan system dictates ownership, which is carried on through mother. (In some cases through father.)Legal ownership - passed by law.
PROPERTYCommunal - Using only what is needed and sharing with others.Private property - Surplus is accumulated; goods belong to one person.
SECURITYSecurity is found within the family and clan. WHO AM I?Security is found in success. WHAT HAVE I DONE?
AGERespect for the wisdom and experience of age.Medicare is indicative of a non-Indian value.
WORKWork when necessaryWork for itself
STRUCTURE OF SOCIETYNon-competitive; non-comparative (could stem from the wish to preserve harmony)Competitive - Basis for GET AHEAD
TABOOSExplain evil by spiritExplain evil by science
UNNATURAL HAPPENINGSWitchcraft - A power to harm others. Witches are often viewed in the light of a scapegoat for all ills and unnatural happenings. Some are respected for their power to inflict evil; ambivalence of emo- tional response to them. SAME FOR GOOD.Rational approach to explanation of unnatural happenings - even explain GOOD this way. Do not go to the Primary Cause.
ADAPTABILITYReason why is sought; the practicality is examined. Value is sought in the NOW.Progress is the goal; pure research.
RELIGIONMyth and example by synthesisDogma and instruction by analysis

Comparison Of Values



INDIAN VALUES

Leaders are the servants

Cooperation

Group Emphasis

Passive

Informal Courtesy

Patient

Sharing

Time - Constant

Respect for Age

Harmony with Nature

Religion = Way of Life . . . Sacramental, Symbolic

Non-verbal

Extended Family

Tradition

No Eye-to-eye Contact

Holistic Problem Solving . . . Vision of Total

Happiness = Spiritual Harmony


NON-INDIAN VALUES

Leaders are the masters

Competition

Individual Emphasis

Assertive

Formal Politeness

Impatient

Saving

Time - Fleeting

Respect for Youth

Conquest over Nature

Religion = Segment of Life . . . Intellectual, Gnostic

Verbal

Nuclear Family

Novelty

Eye-to-eye Contact

Analytical Problem Solving . . . Piece by Piece

Happiness = Wealth Accumulation