2/13/20; Week 6: Response to Individualism vs. Collectivism


From the time my youngest daughter was a toddler, she wanted to be an adult. She would pretend to own businesses. She would put sticky notes on items all throughout the house with prices and ask us to shop at her store so she could ring us up on her plastic cash register. One year for Christmas, all she wanted was office supplies so she could play “office.” She was a little adult in a little girl’s body with mom and dad still making a lot of decisions for her. She couldn’t wait to be a real adult – to be responsible, be independent, and make her own choices.

Just like that, it happened…all of a sudden she was an adult. With it came all the responsibilities of adulthood – budgeting, paying bills, signing paperwork, and making really tough decisions. She was torn between two cultures…one where the elders in her life made all the decisions for her and one where she was free to be independent. I can’t tell you how many times she has yelled, “I hate adulting!!!”

I imagine that is often how culturally diverse students feel – caught between two cultures – collectivism and individualism. If elders in their lives are not acculturated, it must be an even weightier pull. How can we, as teachers and community members, help with the transition? Here are a few considerations from the National Center on Secondary Education and Transition:

·      Emotional climate of the culture
·      Implications of poverty
·      Differences in family composition
·      Family work practices and roles
·      Neighborhoods and living environments
·      Nature and degree of acculturation
·      Individuals with disabilities and special needs

While students are feeling the struggle, keep in mind how their families are feeling. Collectivism cultures do not encourage individualism. Youth honor and follow instructions from their elders. While my husband and I were prepared for our little girl to move from her family culture to an independent culture, it was still hard. Let’s put ourselves in the shoes of elders in a collectivist culture. Imagine only knowing and understanding that. How can we help them understand the transition into an individualistic culture and support their youth who need help from elders, teachers, leaders, and the community? I would love to hear your thoughts.

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