Cultural Universals Between United States and China
According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the definition of culture is “the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group”. Every country has its specific culture and there are some obvious cultural universals between China and America. One example of such cultural universal is the directness of American versus the humbleness of the Chinese people. Another example would be the self independence of the young Americans versus the young Chinese who tend to depend on their parents. What I would like to cover are the holidays observed by United States and China, roles played in the family by husband and wife, parenting styles and conflict management.
Holidays observed
There are two similar holidays that are celebrated in both United States and China, New Year’s Day and Chinese New Year’s Day. In both countries, New Year’s Day is celebrated for the passing of the old year and the start of the New Year. Chinese New Year which is also called Spring Festival starts with the New Moon on the first day of the New Year and ends on the Full Moon 15 days later. It is celebrated in honor of Heaven and Earth, the gods of the household, and the family ancestors as a family affair, a time of reunion and thanksgiving. During the Chinese New Year, Chinese people decorate the house with red couplets on the doors and they visit each other during this holiday. They will feast on traditional foods like New Year cake and dumplings. New Year’s Day in United States is celebrated on January 1st. It is celebrated with a resolution to get rid of bad habits and start a new one when the clock strikes 12am.
Roles between husband and wife
In United States, family is in a more nuclear and immediate interaction while family in China is larger due to its culture. The Chinese family involves uncles, aunts and other relatives. Most of the American household consist of the father, mother and the children in the single household, while the Chinese
Holidays observed
There are two similar holidays that are celebrated in both United States and China, New Year’s Day and Chinese New Year’s Day. In both countries, New Year’s Day is celebrated for the passing of the old year and the start of the New Year. Chinese New Year which is also called Spring Festival starts with the New Moon on the first day of the New Year and ends on the Full Moon 15 days later. It is celebrated in honor of Heaven and Earth, the gods of the household, and the family ancestors as a family affair, a time of reunion and thanksgiving. During the Chinese New Year, Chinese people decorate the house with red couplets on the doors and they visit each other during this holiday. They will feast on traditional foods like New Year cake and dumplings. New Year’s Day in United States is celebrated on January 1st. It is celebrated with a resolution to get rid of bad habits and start a new one when the clock strikes 12am.
Roles between husband and wife
In United States, family is in a more nuclear and immediate interaction while family in China is larger due to its culture. The Chinese family involves uncles, aunts and other relatives. Most of the American household consist of the father, mother and the children in the single household, while the Chinese
References: * Chinese Culture Family Life. Country facts. Kwintessential.co.uk. Retrieved January 30th, 2013. http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/articles/china/chinese-culture-family-life/article/China/Chinese-Culture-Family-Life/1781 * Why Chinese Mothers are Superior” The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved February 20 2013. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704111504576059713528698754.html “Tiger Mom: Amy Chua Parenting Memoir Raises American Fears – TIME.” Breaking News, Analysis, Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews – TIME.com. Web. February 10 2013. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2043477,00.html