Professional Documents
Culture Documents
CeeCee Evans
ANT101
Meredith Kijan
The culture of America and the culture of China have different traditions and life
views. China is a strong, long running patriarchal society where women hold minimal value
(Law, 2005). America has been a patriarchal society; however, this trend is diminishing as
women hold more prominent positions in politics, education, home and family. The American
culture focuses on the individual supported throughout development by the family; whereas, the
Chinese culture focuses on the family supported by the individual. The Chinese frown upon the
display of emotion, where Americans expect emotional responses. This value creates the basis of
personality development in the two cultures. Children in China are taught to ignore their own
desires and feelings for the good of the family. Children in America learn that emotional
expression is a large part of daily life. American children are taught to discuss their individual
dreams and desires. Chinese culture education is mandatory for the first nine years and children
at a very young age are assigned work responsibilities. In America, education is expected but not
mandatory as in Chinese culture and children are not legally supposed to work until age 15.
Social relationships in China are based on a ruler to rule, include father-son, husband-
wife, brother-brother, and friend-friend As children reach the age of maturity in America they
prepare to move out on their own, leaving their family. In China unmarried adult children remain
within the home providing support to their birth family. In America elders within the family live
outside the family home. In some instances elders do reside with the family, but this is not a
common practice for the majority of families, they see assisted living and nursing care facilities
as the better option for caring for elders. American views of aging are derogatory not something
taken with pride, but China reveres and respects its aged citizens. In China, regardless of their
health condition, elders reside with the family and are afforded a place of honor within the
Cultural Differences 3
family. Children in China are taught to be loyal to their families of origin and to have a duty to
repay their parents for the care provided. Individuals are shaped to conform and respect without
China functions on the Confucian philosophy. This philosophy stressed the need to
suppress romantic feelings with marriages arranged by the parents according to social
hierarchies. China sees sex only as a function of reproduction within marriage. The premarital
culture is based on the Yin-Yang philosophy which sees the universe as a balance of conflicting
forces. Conflicts include: hot and cold, young and old, relaxation and tension. Yang is the strong
and active male and Yin is the submissive and passive female. Sexual intercourse is thought to
strengthen the male as he receives some of the softness of the woman. Homosexuality is viewed
as an unbalanced Yin/Yin act. For these reasons homosexuality and masturbation, both
acceptable in America, are taboo in China. The balance of Yin and Yang dominates the culture
of China and influences the development of personality. Sexual identity in this culture is based
In America citizens are afforded greater individual freedoms, tolerance related to sexual
interactions and relationships, and growing equality between women and men. America focuses
from the perspective of individual growth and happiness. Individual rights and competition are
stressed from an early age. Early elementary school children are taught to seek A’s, with
achievers of this goal being rewarded and others somewhat ignored. Mate selection is based on
personal preferences such as physical attraction and chemistry. In America children develop the
view of marriage based on love, but Chinese teach children to identify marriage as a formality of
References
Law, P. (2005). Giskin, Howard and Bettye S. Walsh Editors. an Introduction to Chinese Culture
through the Family. Asian Folklore Studies, 64(2), Retrieved August 21, 2010, from Questia
database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5014616377