Values: The East-West Divide
(Eastern Standard Time 211-11)
"each of these groups contains
enough variation in culture and
religion that ascribing general
values to either is impossible"
"Are these two value sets that
different? On the face of it, yes;
after all, the central tenet in
Confucianism would seem to be a
respect for formal hierarchy and
the good of the group, while the
central tenet in capitalism and
democracy would seem to be a
shattering of social boundaries
and rugged individualism" (210).
But Confucianism not so rigid; and
Chinese rulers required the
support of the people, the
"Mandate of Heaven".
In the West, hierarchy preserved
(as in Christianity) and the greater
good often dominates the
individual desires.
Lee family: children are obedient
and study hard; family loyalty and
filial piety matter. The extended
family clan. Importance of
economic security and household
stability.
Leigh family: "individual agendas
outweigh the needs of the family."
Teen children largely
unsupervised; privacy and
personal goals are valued.
Teenagers expected to rebel.
They tend to separate from the
parents upon coming of age.
Goals of the Leigh family:
economic security, household
stability, and superior achievement
on the part of the children--that is
to say, exactly the same as the
Lee family's" (211).