Individualism vs. Collectivism

May 27, 2021.      TESOL 103 Week 6

     I have always thought that self-reliance was such a strong virtue that everyone valued it as I did.  It has been obvious to me that personal responsibility was very growth oriented, and should be best for everyone.

Then I learned that 3/4 of the world's cultures do not believe as I do, nor value the same virtues in the same way that I do.  The majority of countries in this world are collectivistic and view all aspects of life as interconnected.  They place a higher value on belonging, and on group unity, togetherness, and harmony.  It is a distinction between independence and interdependence.  Whereas I have always believed in the concept of progress as an arrow going upwards, their picture was more like a circle as in the seasons of life. These new insights have made me examine my ideas about what is best for me and my family.  Some members of my family are re-thinking their acceptance of my values and are deciding to discard my teachings and example.  Other members of my family feel even stronger belief in the strength of the individualism model, and thus we have experienced some discord.  So I am re-looking at my beliefs.

I believe that one purpose for this life is to be happy, and happiness is felt individually.  Some feel happiness from one pursuit while that pursuit will not bring happiness to another.  Also, I still believe in individual responsibility.  I believe that each should be punished for what they do--not what is done by another. I see this in the actions of my children.  Some would listen and obey my teachings while others would choose to disobey and go their own way.  Although this choice is possible, it is not without consequences.  Thus the need for personal responsibility.  I also believe in eternal progress or growth.  I am going back to school at age 66 to learn more and get a degree.  I hope to never stop learning and growing.

I also believe that the Constitution of my country (America) was inspired by God to safeguard individual freedoms.  My country is a melting pot from many different nations because there are many people in the world who want to live individually instead of collectively, and if there were no place on earth to find this option, where would they go?

However, those people who come here to find individual freedoms, still are from different cultures and thus they probably will not understand the day to day differences that these beliefs bring.  Subconscious assumptions will be different and understanding can be difficult.  I can for-see problems in doing their own work, or borrowing others' materials without asking and without understanding.  By learning about these differing basic orientations in other cultures, I hope to be enabled to better understand my future students and their parents, and thus be better able to work together to minimize any conflicts that these different values may engender.