Question

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Raj has been living in Surrey British Columbia for one year now. He immigrated from India three years ago, first living in Toronto with his family for 2 years and then moving on his own to BC to attend University. He currently lives with his uncle (dad’s brother) and family. Lately Raj has been distancing himself more and more from his Indian friends. They do not like that he is more straight-forward with his thoughts and views. Although he still occasionally chats/texts with them, he has stopped joining them for their regular visits to the local movie theatre to watch the latest Bollywood movies. He now has a preference for English music and novels, and watches more TV at home than he did previously. He is planning to move out of his uncle’s home soon to have more freedom. He has lately been getting in arguments with his family members about continuing Accounting (as his major) so he can later join the family business. He would rather switch his major to Anthropology, as this subject makes him happier (he already switched his major, his family does not know this). He recently said he wants to get a tattoo and dye his hair, complaining “everyone here in Surrey looks the same.” He has not told his family he has a girlfriend who is of Chinese background. About this, he has stated, “I don’t care about race, I care about being with someone who makes me happy. They wouldn’t understand.”

Question: Raj has gone from one culture context (India) to living in another (Canada). What are the two main types of cultures discussed in the book/class? Briefly describe them. Use a minimum of three examples from Raj’s current experience (as described above) to contrast the values between these two cultures which may explain why Raj is experiencing changes in his life and disagreements with his family. Describe how differences between the two types of cultures are likely to manifest themselves in terms of Raj’s partner selection and career choice.

Answer 1

In India, the culture is collectivistic culture and in Canada, there is western culture and is more individualistic. When he moved from India to Canada, he became busy with his studies and had lesser time for talking with his friends in India.

In India, an individual is not only the part of his own family , but also is influenced much by his relatives, grandparents etc. Decisions, suggestions everything is made through a collective process. As a child grows, there is a collective care taking. When he goes to school or college, the fees is provided by their parents and doesnt have to work along with that. Parents are more nurturing, many are not going for work, especially mothers are living for the sake of their children only. They take care of them, cook food for them to bring to school, waits preparing dishes at home by evening when the child comes back. The child learns to work ,only by the age he gets a proper job after his studies. Parents take care of them in every way.

But from India, he went to Canada, at first he was with his family. There too, only family has role in his life, but there are no other relatives to provide more suggestions. When he moved to his uncle's home, influence on him from the part of his family reduced. He found it more interesting and happier to live away from parents and relatives. He also decided to move away from his uncle's home.

When he moved from India to Canada, a lot of changes took place. He became more individualistic, and as he is young, he became more interested in those way of living. In India if one takes a course, he will surrounded by family members, neighbors, etc to know what all scope does the course have, is that useful, and many more. But when he reached there, interests of an individual became more important. Thus, he had thus belief of taking a course by his own. He became the part of individualistic culture faster.

In India connection between people i from the family level is so elaborated . Thus, children at school have such a strong connection with friends and it lasts long. It is a collectivistic culture and people are encouraged to engage in activities in group. But in Individualistic culture, and that too the student there want to study, has lots of burden from the college in forms of assignments, also has to earn money of their own. Life becomes more busy. Thus from morning till night, they go to college, work fot part time, and may not get enough time for gathering with friends.

As it is more individualistic, there is no nedd to wait for some other's like or dislike , and opinion, they can do things by their own whuch is different from Indian culture. He got influenced by that culture easily and find it more suitablr to lead life.

In India, when some one decidec to marry , the whole family, relatives everyone gathers and tell opinions. There is also, the practise -parents deciding whom their child will marry. Until the age appropriate for marriage many doesnt think about it. The boy and the girl should be from similar family backgrounds, similar socio economic status, same religion and caste. There are lot many things. He might be showing disinterest to these. And when he went there and became friends with a chinese girl, he wantef to marry her. There the interests of the individual is valued more, thus facilitating him to marry a chinese girl , and their cultural backgrounds vary greatly.

In India a collectivistic culture is followed. And in Canada, individuals interest is valued and is following Individualistic culture.