Discussion Questions on Cultural and Ethnic Value Patterns

How are your family value patterns different from or consistent with the larger cultural and ethnic value patterns?

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My family values are primarily different from the larger cultural or ethnic value patterns in Canada. In Canada, morals are not given priority as commonly observed in the media. On the other hand, in West Indies culture, morals play a significant role and instilled from a younger age and expected to be held throughout adulthood. For example, being pregnant at a young age is considered normal in Canadian culture; however, among the West Indians values and morals are enforced more and being pregnant at a young age s not commonly accepted. There is a saying that states, "It takes a whole village to raise a child" which means parental responsibility is supported by the whole community including neighbors and extended family.

How are your value patterns different from or consistent with the larger cultural and ethnic value patterns?

My value patterns particularly sharing food with strangers and friends is a good example of both Canadian and West Indians value patterns. For example, celebrations during Christmas and other essential holidays always form part of a sociological snapshot and social cohesion among friends and families. Sharing food and helping the needy during these holidays always form part of my beliefs. This is also similar to the Canadian culture where people always meet during charismas and celebrate together regardless of the huge differences that exist.

Which value dimension has the most influence on your everyday communication behavior? How so? Give a clear communication example.

Respect to the elders has the most influence on your everyday communication behavior. Children are expected to listen and communicate with their elders in a more respected manner. Respecting in West Indian culture has nothing to do with loving or liking someone. Respecting your elders is a rule, and it is not earned as commonly seen in Canadian and American families. Therefore, when communicating with older persons, it must be done respectfully because respect is given blindly and unconditionally.

Who is the "real you" in terms of your value system-your personal self, your workplace self, your family self, and/or your cultural self?

Although discrimination remains to be a pervasive experience among Caribbean societies where people are either classified as White or non White, I believe everyone have rights and they should not be discriminated on the basis of their color, race, or status. I also believe in individualistic values that consider every one as equal and reduce perceptions of racial segregation and discrimination.

Think about a specific region of the world you might be visiting for an extended period of time or doing business with in the future. Identify the specific value dimension differences you might find between your cultural values and the cultural values in the region.

American culture is amazing from their values, morals, art, to food. However, it is different from the West Indian culture. Major differences can be seen in morals where among West Indians, morals are key part of the society and it is instilled in children from childhood and upheld thought their lives. Children always learn moral values from their parents. However, in the Unites States, morals are not that important and they are not enforced more by parents. This is why you find most American children are involved in drugs and crime.

If you have to work with other students with diametrically opposite values on a team project, how would you manage the differences in a competent manner? Recommend three ideas you can practice or apply to manage possible value clashes.

To manage possible value clashes among team members, I will first have to consider the diversity that exists among the group based on their cultural expectations, beliefs and values. To work effectively I will need to be aware of the biases, values, attitudes and experiences that may affect the team performance. I will then educate each team member on the different cultural norms that values each person have and finally urge them to respect religious, political, and cultural beliefs of each person to reduce instances of discriminatory practices, prejudices, and biases.

My Blog: Assessing the Degree of Importance of Your Ethnic Identity and Bicultural Identity

The value system of the Canadian people is incompatible with the larger US cultural values. Canadians and Americans have more different cultural values than people assume. Both countries enjoy culture independence but the differences can be seen in their social norms, politics, religion and language. Canadians primarily speak English and French while the US has no official language. However, it is considered that English is the de facto language spoken buy Americans. Over 51% of American population is protestant Christians while Canada has no majority religion since most of the people identify as both protestant and Roman Catholics. Politically, Canada is headed by a prime minister while the US is headed by a president. Socially, Canada is primarily influenced by American culture especially through movies, music, and TV shows to the extent that most Canadian radio and TV stations must show Canadian Content to prevent its culture being wiped out by US culture, especially the entertainment industry.

To reconcile the differences between US and Canada is that people should not rely on stereotypes, and instead rely on prototypes. Stereotypes always lead to pejorative and distorted expectations and misinterpretations. Thus, focusing on prototypes leads to cultural averages that bridge the dimensions of cultural values and behaviors. In addition, people should not interpret other beliefs, values, and behaviors through the lens of their culture. Instead they need to learn about the culture of other people by learning and understanding why a particular people follow a given values or exhibit particular behavior.

Most of my friends do not see me as an American. This is because of my character flaw of always saying sorry or apologizing. I rather be perceived as Canadian because I love my culture and our way of life. We always feel more satisfied with our lives than most Americans do.

References

Brake, M. (2013). Comparative youth culture: The sociology of youth cultures and youth subcultures in America, Britain and Canada. Routledge.

MacKinnon, N. J., & Keating, L. J. (1989). The structure of emotions: Canada-United States comparisons. Social Psychology Quarterly, 70-83.