Traditional vs. Modern Society

Traditional vs. Modern Society

In today's world, the modern person is educated, independent and aggressive. To be a success, you must put forth your most competitive side and win it all. Nothing less will be permitted. This is the mindset of most business tycoons, stockbrokers and the like. However, on the other side of the globe, third world countries follow a more traditional lifestyle where the outlook on life is a little less malicious. In these countries, the society's idea of success is being part of a large family with prosperous crops and livestock. How is it that our society and theirs have both been successful? And why has the traditional way of life stayed so prevalent in such an industrialized world?

First, what exactly does a traditional society entail? A traditional society has many distinguishable traits. A big difference is the rate of illiteracy in these societies. Since everyone in the family is working together to survive, no one has the time or energy to learn how to read and write. Education is considered an indulgence in traditional societies. Farming is the main career - low urbanization and more rural communities fill these areas. Farming is not meant to bring profit, like in a modern society; it means survival for these people.

Many people are needed to reap a field when the crops are ready. Therefore, many children must be born. The birth rates in third world cultures are very high as a result. Males are obviously preferred. Because of the...