Introduction
Culture entails a people’s way of life, including their beliefs, norms and values handed down from one generation to another. It involves ethics, language, spirituality, festivals, and artwork. It has been described as an entire society’s way of existence. People develop heritage through the active learning of enculturation and social bonding, shown by various cultures all over societies. It provides stability, which provides you with a sense of security and belonging. One of the significant cultural aspects is the view of family. The ways that family is viewed are verified by the difference in cultures between America and India. However, these cultures can be compared in terms of relationships and marriages, family life, and gender roles.
Family Structure
The family unit is viewed differently in American and Indian cultures. From the American cultural perspective, the family unit is viewed as a pledge of two individuals guided by mutual love. Finding a tiny nuclear family living separately with their extended family members in America is normal. According to Hagestad (2018), the concept that one is who one chooses to be and what one makes of themselves is popular in contemporary culture. Consequently, individuals are required to be self-reliant and responsible for their actions. As a result, it is rather common for American parents to place a focus on a child’s individuality and encourage their desire for their own objectives, even though they contradict the ideals of the family. Many children believe that as adults, they must be economically self-sufficient and independent of their families. It is usually believed that children leave home after completing high school or university in a few years.
In India, the family is essential, as most of the Indians’ lives revolve around their families, keeping the household together. As a collectivist society civilization, Indians respect fidelity and integration highly. Personal interests and decisions affecting one’s private affairs, such as marriage, are typically prioritized by family issues and professional courses are often chosen according to an individual’s family. Since an individual’s behavior can impact how the society views the entire family, they must operate in the greatest interests of their family’s name (Tseng & Hsu, 2018). People may be encouraged to maintain good ties with their extended families, as they are with their parents. Tseng and Hsu (2018) state that it is usual to find three to four generations staying together in various places in India, different from America, where only the nuclear family lives together. Nevertheless, those residing together still have different gender roles as directed by customs.
Gender Roles
Gender roles, which entail the specific duties assigned to males and females, differ in American and Indian cultural perspectives. In American society, males have generally been considered as the breadwinners of the household, while women have usually been regarded as good homemakers and basic caregivers of children. However, as the number of female domestic breadwinners and women-owned businesses has continuously increased, attitudes toward women’s roles have evolved considerably. Women in America have achieved advanced education, often surpassing the male norm. Despite having equal rights and the option to choose the way, they contribute to the domestic dynamic, traditional beliefs about family and household duties persist. As a result, women earn little on average and work fewer hours to care for their children as primary caregivers. Hagestad (2018) states that men are required to show toughness, authority, and competition while exhibiting feelings and compassion less freely in order to appear masculine. Disparities in opportunities amongst women of various ethnic backgrounds also hold women back.
The position of men and women is significantly different in India. According to Tseng and Hsu (2018), there are various norms around the exercise of ‘purdah,’ which necessitates the isolation of women in specific situations. According to ‘purdah’, females are frequently asked to leave home only when they are veiled and accompanied by a man (Tseng & Hsu, 2018). In a traditional Indian household, women are supposed to respect and serve their husbands. A woman gradually enhances her standing within the conjugal family by bearing offspring, particularly highly esteemed males, and eventually becoming a mother-in-law. A man becomes the head of the family, and is required to pursue three goals as a householder in the Indian phases of life: religious virtue, wealth, and satisfaction (Tseng & Hsu, 2018). Nonetheless, a man’s reactions need to be sincere, committed, and nonviolent. In Indian society, being born a man is sufficient. Society pampers men beyond reason; thus, a man does not need other qualities.
Relationships and Marriages
Mutual love and acceptance between two people are central to American dating practices. Couples frequently meet through their social networks, workplaces, hobbies, and popular online dating sites for people of all ages. Dates are frequently held in settings that permit the pair to interact well and get to know more about each other, such as over a meal or beverages. Hagestad (2018) explains that it is usual for one in America to pursue or get to know a lot of individuals at the same time without committing to any of them. If the two develop feelings for one another, they alert their families and begin the wedding planning process. Based on the type of marriage, the ceremony is led by either a religious leader or a judge. This is a one-day ceremony during which the pair is officially married.
In India, arranged marriages are common, though the expectations and processes of marriage arrangements vary by area and religion. Marriages are arranged by a matchmaker, the couple’s parents, or another reliable third party. Class concerns are almost usually a factor in arranged marriages. As a result, endogamous unions are still popular among individuals of the same faith. Arranged marriage and class endogamy allow parents to influence their children’s destinies while preserving the economic and social hierarchy. The family is almost always included in the marriage process, irrespective of how one finds a spouse. Weddings are usually held in the families’ villages, regardless of whether they live in the village or a town; it is customary for communities to be able to hold weddings in their rural homes and other major family events (Tseng & Hsu, 2018). Wedding ceremonies can last several days, and clear customs vary based on the region and the families’ faith.
Conclusion
Culture is vital to a community because it aids in the resolution of problems that impact the entire community. It has far-reaching social and economic consequences. By boosting learning and health, developing tolerance, and offering chances to connect with others, culture enhances the standards of living and promotes overall health for individuals and communities. It is critical to conserve and honor cultures that are not one’s own. The culture is improved as a result of maintaining the integrity and aiming for diversity. Cultural variations are a positive part of a community since they teach moral lessons and allow people to appreciate various ethnic customs. Cultural diversity should not be viewed as a hindrance but as an opportunity for progress and prosperity in every particular community.
References
Hagestad, G. O. (2018). Interdependent lives and relationships in changing times: A life-course view of families and aging. In R. Settersten & J Hendricks (Eds.), An Invitation to the life course: Toward new understandings of later life. Routledge. Web.
Tseng, W. S., & Hsu, J. (2018). Culture and family: Problems and therapy. Routledge. Web.