Comparisons of Chinese and Westerners Cultural Characteristics

Comparison of Chinese and Westerners Cultural Characteristics
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Comparisons of Chinese and Westerners Cultural Characteristics
Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Duneier, Richard Appelbaum, and Deborah Carr, the authors of the book Introduction to Sociology, provide an authoritative introduction to the basic concepts, research, and significant theories in a streamlined way. According to Carr, Giddens, Duneier, and Appelbaum (2018), human beings have varied beliefs, social practices, values, and norms. Giddens and co-authors reveal the various cultural characteristics that determine variation in behaviors. The authors utilize a four-part chapter structure for the book to expedite easy reading. Importantly, they provide a detailed discussion of unanswered questions at the end of each chapter to highlight the influence of sociological imagination and help the readers have a comprehensive understanding of the complex society.
Notably, society has different forms of stratification based on variation in cultural characteristics and social classes. The Chinese have unique social rankings of socioeconomic tiers based on race, income, power, and education. Notably, individuals with fewer resources are less powerful and represent lower layers in society. In most instances, people believe that everyone has equal chances of achieving success in life (Carr et al., 2018). However, people have varied opportunities, which determines the existence of social ranks and the control that people have in their various social standings. The Chinese have systematic inequalities based on classes, membership, and economic power. Although people can formulate effective ways of addressing disparities, society supports social stratification. Giddens and co-authors reveal the sociological perspective of cultural characteristics that determine people’s relationships and behaviors through the existing social stratifications. The Chinese and Westerners have notable similarities and differences based on marriage, family setting, religion, gender roles, socialization process, power structures, social institutions, social change, and individualism/collectivism.
Marriage
Family and marriage are fundamental structures in society that determine the different forms of interactions that exist. Marriage is one of the unique and legally recognized social contracts that exist between two individuals. Over the years, cultures have developed a variety of marriage patterns, such as same-sex marriage and opposite-sex marriage patterns. Notably, same-sex marriage is one of the regular practices in the United States. The U.S Supreme Court issued a landmark to grant same-sex couples a constitutional right to marry. As a result, the overall number of people who favor the marriage pattern has increased steadily. Arguably, the advocates of same-sex marriage cite love as the ultimate purpose of marriage as opposed to procreation.
Conversely, same-sex marriage is a despised practice in Chinese culture. Instead, the country only supports heterosexual relationships. The spokesperson of the parliament’s legal affairs argued that only heterosexual marriage suits the cultural and historical conditions of China. However, the Chinese government supports the choices of same-sex couples but not their rights. For instance, the lawmakers grant the groups various legal privileges, such as property management, personal, and medical care. Notably, most Chinese customs revolve around marriage with the ultimate objective of procreation. For that reason, the government disregards lesbians and gays. One of the notable findings is that China recognizes neither civil unions nor same-sex marriage.
The Chinese culture has variations with other cultural groups based on polygamous marriage patterns. Polygamous marriage was one of the usual practices across traditional Chinese culture, especially if the first wife failed to sire sons that can help in preserving the family lineage. However, it is worth to mention that modern Chinese laws forbid polygamous marriage. Carr et al. (2018) aver that the government imposed heavy penalties, including imprisonment, as one of the most effective ways of reversing the increasing rates of polygamous practices. Consequently, the number of people who practice polygamous marriage has decreased. Equally, the cases of divorce in China have decreased as opposed to the high divorce rates recorded in the United States.
In contrast, sovereign states and the vast majority of Islamic countries embrace polygamy as one of the standard practices. The number of Americans who accept polygamous marriage has increased steadily over the years. Notably, polygamy pattern has become one of the severe and ordinary constitutional marriage debates. Accordingly, same-sex relationships and extramarital sex have gained a considerable increase in most cultures, especially in the contemporary world. According to research findings, the findings of same-sex relationships in most cultures, such as the United States and America is contrary to that of China.
Family
Chinese culture has notable differences and similarities in family patterns. The question of what constitutes a family has become one of the significant areas of debate in both China and other countries. Functionalism and symbolic interaction theorists argue that family entails participants who perceive themselves as members of a collective group. The family members provide for one another to enhance physical, emotional, and emotional wellbeing. The Chinese culture has unique family values, which vary from that of other cultural groups. For instance, the families encourage distinguished harmony and require that all the members should keep on the rail. The patterns determine the behavior variation for the two cultures. Therefore, the Chinese are a collectivist culture that involves people attaching more importance to the family members than themselves.
On the contrary, American families enhance independence, individual characters, and equality. According to research findings, the ultimate objective of the American family is to improve happiness in each of the family members. The children have legal rights in making their decisions independently without any form of restrictions from the parents. Based on family education, American families recognize the essence of children pursuing personal interests with outstanding commitment as a way of attaining their happiness. Therefore, American children bear less pressure from family members. However, most Americans prefer divorce in case of something wrong in the marriage setting as opposed to the Chinese, who resolve their differences.
American and Chinese have plenty of similar family values. However, there are notable variations in their family structures. Historical backgrounds, economies, and policies are the major determining factors of the differences. One of the existing stereotypes is that extended families in China live under one roof and are self-sufficient in taking care of the elderly. On the contrary, most Americans take older people to care for homes. The Chinese culture emphasizes both hierarchy and patriarchy family patterns, thus determining the variations in family patterns. Over the years, the Chinese have recognized the need for close family ties among the members.
Religion
The Chinese culture has notable constellations of religious practices that have significant variations and similarities with other cultures, such as the United States. For instance, the spiritual practices in the two countries promote understanding and dialogue, thus expediting the policy-making process. Diverse religions have emerged in contemporary Chinese culture. For that reason, citizens have an opportunity of joining a wide variety of denominations. Christianity is one of the prevalent religions in the country, while Buddhism is the second. Notably, the Chinese in the two religious groups have various festival celebrations on an annual basis.
According to research, Buddhism, Judaism, and Christianity are the common religious groups in the United States. However, a large part of the citizens are Christians, thus an indicator that the country has a diverse religion. Judaism is the second widely practiced religion in the country, which is an indicator that religion is one of the most important cultural practices. Religion plays a fundamental role in the history and politics of the United States. One of the notable facts is that the US denominations and religious groups have outstanding racial and ethnic diversity. Therefore, the government recognizes religion in making appropriate decisions.
Besides, China has notable differences and similarities based on religious freedom. Survey findings indicate that the members of Chinese minority religions face different forms of persecution and denial of religious freedom. Equally, some of the religious groups in China encounter issues related to fundamental human rights. The problems have significant implications that might cause negative impacts among the religious groups. In contrast, America has an exceptional commitment to religious freedom that stems from the outstanding diversity of faith traditions. However, an increase of rebellious attitudes has fostered extensive growth of evangelical movements.
Gender Roles
The westerners and Chinese have similarities and differences in gender roles and relationships between men and women. Chinese and Westerners have unique perceptions of power distribution and gender-related tasks. In the traditional family setting, women in both China and Western cultures were responsible for motherhood, maintenance of the home relationship, and taking care of other roles within the household setting. On the contrary, men were liable for being financial providers. In the contemporary world, men and women in both China and the United States assist their husbands in financial provision. However, the change in the social setting has influenced an increase in divorce cases and female-headed households.
In China, the government and policymakers alike should execute more effective strategies for enhancing gender equality. Despite the extensive efforts of addressing the issues, the number of men in positions of power and other decision-making positions outnumbers that of women. However, the percentage of women in schools has increased steadily, thus creating opportunities for their economic and political development. Notably, men in the current Chinese culture are more assertive than women and act as sole decision-makers. For that reason, the government and policymakers will have to execute ways of enhancing gender equality.
Socialization Process
Children develop an awareness of social values and norms through the socialization process. However, different cultures have varied ways of socialization and adoption of appropriate behaviors in society. Giddens and co-authors reveal the wide variety of socialization patterns and environments that exist in society. The autho...