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Latin american society gender roles
Latin american society gender roles
What is the difference between a collectivist culture and an individualist one
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Even though the United States and Mexico share a common border the difference in culture between the two is significant. cultural Mexico has a very different history than the United States, and therefore is different in many ways. Both countries differ from equality/inequality, collectivism/individualism, gender roles, uncertainty avoidance, indulgence, restrains, and power distance index. In comparison with the United States, Mexico 's culture is more family-oriented and family is their first priority. Their children are celebrated, sheltered and wives fulfill domestic roles. Mexico places more importance on well-defined power and authority structures in organizations, and prefers more certainty and predictability. In the United States, …show more content…
“The degree to which individual decision-making is valued is much lower. This can be seen in terms of caring for workers and their families, establishing workplace harmony, and exhibiting control toward employees.
The Power Distance Index between both countries is very different because of the historical events that occurred” (Stiglitz, Joseph, 2015). The United States has a lower power distance, where all people feel entitled to a certain amount of power. “Culture’s that have a low power distance expect and accept power relations that are more consultative or democratic. People relate to one another more as equals regardless of formal positions. Those holding inferior positions are willing to question and challenge those in superior positions, whether it comes to decisions making or suggesting a new idea” (Geert, Hofstede,2015). For example, in a lower power distance culture, if one were to want a promotion at their job, they would be willing to confront their boss and ask for one. “In countries with high power distance such as Mexico, the less powerful accept power relations that are more autocratic and paternalistic. Subordinates acknowledge the power of others simply based on where they are situated in certain formal, hierarchical positions. As a whole, higher power distance countries believe that inequality is good, everyone has a specific place, people should depend on their leader, and that the powerful should not hide their power and are entitled to many privileges”
The United States has no more important foreign relation ship than that of which it enjoys with Mexico, and vice versa. These two countries share interwoven societies and economies. Although there have been disagreements and turbulence between the two countries, which partnership is without these? The Strength of each country’s democracy is fundamental to the other’s. This relationship that the two countries share directly affects that lives of millions of Mexican and United States citizens everyday. Recently these two countries have become even more unified than ever before. Tackling issues such as Border Control, Countering Narcotics, Dealing with multiple Law enforcement agencies, Human Rights laws, trade and development, etc. There are many issues that they are mutually interested in and must deal with. Yet, there are some vast differences in which these two countries are run. There are also many similarities, which we must take into account. Both Democratic Governments have similar structures, containing a legislative, judicial, and executive branch. Yet, these structures are very different internally, containing specific duties that the other country’s branch may not have.
I not only had the influences of the Mexican culture, I was able to experience the good old fashioned American family values as well. My mother was the heart of the family. She was the one who cooked, cleaned and cared for her children full time. My father was generally the one in charge and took care of many of the decision making scenarios.
If one were to visit different countries and societies throughout the world, they may notice the many differences and similarities each region shares. This makes the world a very unique place because there is constant change and diversity everywhere we look, no matter the distance traveled. A prime example of this would be the similarities and differences between the United States of America and Mexico. Although the two are neighboring countries, there is a great deal of diversity amongst them that deserve a thorough examination.
United States and Mexico has a lot of differences and similarities between the two cultures. United States is different from Mexico because in Mexico the epidemics of obesity in adults are growing at a faster rate and has surpassed the United States. In Mexico the health condition rates are 32.8% compare to United States 31.8% of people who are overweight. One of the biggest problems with Mexico’s obesity rates comes from their “traditional high calorie foods that are fatty and fried.” (Grillo, I. 2009, August 29). Mexico consumes more “Coca Cola products than anywhere else in world. There are a total of 635 eight ounces a bottle per person each year.” (Grillo, I. 2009, August 29). Most citizens in Mexico said that “in many villages...
In Mexican families, men are generally “in charge”. In a traditional Mexican family, women take care of the children and maintain the household while the men go to work and put food on the table. This is similar to American culture because in an American family, if a parent stays home, it is usually the woman. In both Mexican and American families, women generally have the nurturing and caring job while men do work outside the house. Men usually get the jobs that take more body power. There are also many differences in gender role between these countries.
We tend to be like those around us that have the same values and beliefs. So we also tend to do the same things and are raised the same way. Marrying into an Anglo family, this family does not have the close family relations that my Mexican family has. Some Anglo families may, although not to the extent of Mexican households. If you have ever seen My Big Greek Fat Wedding, well this is how Mexican families tend to live their lives, always in each other’s business. I don’t see much of this in my husband’s family and for me, it was a huge adjustment. There almost seems to be a distance and lives are not shared. Where Mexican women think family is most important, Anglo women think family is important, but so is the status. Anglo women seek it all; they want family and career; although not an impossible task, it can take away from family time. “Since prestige, power, and self-esteem are not derived from achieved status to as great an extent among Mexicans, employment is more crucial to psychological well-being for Anglo women than form Mexican” (Ross et al. 1983). Inequality among races shows that Mexicans take immense pride in the household chores while Anglos take great pride in status. By tradition, Mexican women are praised and revered for their roles as homemakers. This view is a status of prestige that is very respected in the Hispanic community. “Ministering mothers are respected revered and recognized important figures despite their alleged low status in the family” (Mirande, 1977:752). On the other hand, “Anglo women are not in traditional homes where the wife receives prestige for her role in family, yet they are not in nontraditional homes where the husband and wife share the work (both outside and inside the home) equally” (Ross et al. 1983). As stated earlier Mexican women in the roles of homemakers in their home are viewed as pillars of strength and respect in their homes and
Frequently, we do not put too much attention to our own cultural values and traditions until we are exposed to a different culture, and start comparing. In order to have a more productive and fruitful life I believe we need to become more self-aware and more sensitive to the culturally and ethnically diverse community we live in. Two cultures that have been sharing the same living space for centuries are the Hispanic and American culture. In this paper I would be analyzing each culture giving a brief background and pointing out some aspects in how they differ, like the perception of time, family, orientation, and others. American culture has a couple of aspects in which it differs from the Hispanic culture, which for the most part are Latin in root. Clearly there are strong points and weak points between the two cultures. That is why I personally believe that specifically these two cultures complement each other so well. The lives of people in American culture mainly revolve around work, and time has to be carefully divided in order to achieve everything they have mind. Hispanic culture is a culture where family and relationships are more important than anything else, time and schedules can be changed. You could say a little bit more relaxed. Certainly, these are only general remarks and there are always exceptions, like everything else.
When we hear discussions or read articles about drug wars, killings, and illegal immigration into the United States, many of us immediately think of Mexico. As a nation, Mexico is a much greater country than these commonly referred to issues. Mexico is a country with a broad history, deep family culture, and an economy fueled by oil and tourism. The United States Department of State (USDS) offers a broad range of information on countries outside the US, including Mexico. I found a wealth of information about Mexico through the USDS Background Note provided on their website located at www.state.gov. I will outline for you the key information found in this report, and others, related to the Mexican economy, culture, and more.
I come from a Mexican family. This has shown me the many similarities, as well as differences in a Mexican family compared to an American family. From a young age we are taught that the value of family is the most important thing in the world. Most Americans encourage their children to move out after graduation from either high school or college, Mexicans believe that their children should live with them until they are married or around the ages of 25-30 years old. The most important family member in the Mexican family are the elderly. They are given special treatment and attention. For example our beliefs is that the elders shouldn't go to retirement homes. They are welcome in the family and are cared for until there last days. Grandchildren are taught to be respectful and to aways Listen to the elders, especially if they're your grandparents.
To begin, the Mexican culture is very conservative. The American culture is the complete opposite.
North America has a monochromic culture, where time is treated as a valuable resource and business tasks are needed to be completed as quickly as possible. Mexicans follow a polychronic culture, which emphasizes relationship. Thus, Alan, US sales representative in Mexico, experiences difficulties with doing business because people with whom he works get used to be late on the meetings. Moreover, his hosts want to talk about sightseeing and his family in order to establish a relationship. Mexico is also characterized by high-context culture, where communication is conveyed implicitly and considered as a means to establish relationships. Alan’s low-context culture leads to employees’ miscommunication because he counts long not job-related conversations irrelevant. In addition, family is the first priority for Mexicans, so Alan’s meetings are frequently interrupted by customers’ children who come into the office.
...an-American culture has differences from American. Mexican-Americans are very family-orientated so much that they identify themselves as familial instead of individualized or spiritual as other cultures do. The culture has changed over time and is receiving less opposition from Americans as they have in the past. Immigration demographics can be used to see how America is becoming more homogenous accepting Mexican-Americans and eliminating discrimination because of ethnicity. Selena gave great insight into her culture and created some understanding on the differences between Mexican-American and my culture. Knowing these differences will create a more successful interaction any potential person from a Mexican-American culture and myself.
The power distance in Singapore is 74 where in Canada it is 39, power distance shows the equality of people in society or culture and the distribution of power (Hofstede Centre, 2016). In Singapore, the distribution of power is not equal everyone is not treated same but in Canada the power is mostly distributed equally. Another metrics in the model is individualism vs collectivism, from the graph above we can see the Singapore is more in collectivism whereas Canada is more in individualism (Hofstede Centre, 2016). Uncertainty avoidance affects a human behavior or a culture in large hugely. In uncertainty avoidance Singapore’s score is 8. In Singapore people abide too many rules not because they have need for structure but because of high Power distance (Hofstede Centre, 2016).
Mexican national culture slowly emerged from a process of accommodation between the indigenous cultures and the Spanish colonial domination that lasted three centuries. Mexico gained independence in 1821. In the nineteenth century, the formation of the national culture and polity remained a difficult task mainly due to political instability, military uprisings, and foreign invasions. During this time Mexico lost large portions of its original territory. Most important in this respect was the war with the United States between 1846 and 1848, which broke out when the United States attempted to annex independent Texas. The war...
According to Sledge, Miles, and Coppage (2008) power distance is “the degree to which control and influence are distributed unequally in society” (p. 1670). In a country with a high power distance employees would not feel comfortable voicing their opinions or disagreeing with their managers. Empowering employees would not work well because employees would be scared to take actions on their own. Employees would feel more comfortable with structure and strict procedures. In countries with low power distance managers could benefit from empowering employees. Employees are free to voice their opinions and develop and express new ideas or plans. Empowerment would motivate employees more in a country with low power distance.