Cultural Differences 1

Cultural Differences: America vs. China

CeeCee Evans

ANT101

Meredith Kijan

August 23, 2010

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Cultural Differences: America vs. China

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
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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

question in the Chinese culture.

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

and extramarital relationships common in America would be unacceptable in China. Chinese

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

on reproductive function and obligation to create balance.

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

the family business absent of individual desires.

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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