13 February 2020

Week 06, Individualism vs. Collectivism.

This week we have been learning about individualism vs. Collectivism  in our Pedagogy class. The emphasis is on the subject matter of how this might affect the teaching in the classroom. I decided to look these words up online. The result is: “Cultures are typically divided into two categories: collectivist and individualist. Individual cultures, such as those of the United States and Western Europe, emphasize personal achievements regardless of the expense of group goals, resulting in a strong sense of competition. Collectivist cultures, such as those of China, Korea, and Japan, emphasize family and work group goals above individual needs or desires.” https://psychology.wikia.org/wiki/Collectivist_and_individualist_cultures

Perhaps we are not too far from either concept in the United States. Brother Ivers said in a video we watched that in some countries changing political parties might be seen as if the person is a traitor. This happens in the United States also, if you are a part of the two main political parties in the United States and go against what the ‘collective’ in the party thinks you might have some terrible consequences come your way. In these cases, individualism does not seem to matter.

Culturally diverse learners should be shown respect when it comes to their thinking. When they come from ‘collectivism’ when it comes to culture, it might be alien to them to think as an individual in their new country. It’s like the saying that you can take someone out of the country, but you can not take the country out of the individual. I married a Pacific Islander and we have been together for around 40 years. He is from a 'patriarchal society' and I am from a 'matriarchal society'. We have lived in five different western countries. My husband was fine adapting to the ‘individualism’ thinking rather than ‘collectivism’ when he lived in the western countries. When he is around his countrymen the western thinking seems to go out the window. People must change their own thinking and that can not be forced upon them.

When it comes to the classroom there can be discussions about the different thinking according to the cultural system the learners come from. This can help the learners and teachers to try to understand the differences, and how the teaching will take place. If the teachers and learners do not accept the difference bullying and disrespect can occur. If the learners are underage the teacher must be more careful not to cause disruption or disunity in families. Rules for the classroom can be discussed with the learners and follow the school rules and protocol, so not to cause more difficulties than need be. It’s culture shock enough to have different thinking learners in the classroom. Everyone might be able to learn something new from one another.