Cultural values Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Cultural values - Assignment Example There is a significant difference in the themes of Japanese people when compared to the American population. Within the American society, the rights of every individual become established and are not subject to cultural expectations. While similar fundamental rights to choice remain available within the constitution, the Japanese society perceives cultural values as superseding constitutional rights. Married women in Japan are therefore expected by the society to leave their careers and become full-time mothers. Individuals who opt to follow different paths find life increasingly difficult because of the cultural expectation. In contrast, the American society presents limited cultural expectations because of the multiple cultures making the American society. The diversity within the American culture remains the fundamental reason behind the absence of cultural expectations, and reliance on fundamental rights provided by the constitution.There are numerous cultural values within the J apanese society forming the base for the cultural beliefs. Empathy and human relations remains a fundamental aspect of Japanese culture, and are regarded as part of life. The Japanese believe that human emotions like love and anger come from the gods; hence showing love to others and resulting relations become valued within the society. Indentify oneself with another – empathy, remains highly valued within the society. Children are taught that human fulfilment emanates from close relationships with others.... Children are taught that human fulfilment emanates from close relationships with others (Nathan, 116). The Japanese believe that success comes forth through combination of efforts from different people. Order and status could be identified as the second fundamental aspect of Japanese society. The value is based on the Japanese belief in the philosophy of Confucianism, which emphasizes on harmony with nature, displayed through an individual’s contribution to social order and proper behaviour. Tranquillity and happiness are the fundamental results sought through the value of order and status (Slater and Robson, 360). Understanding of one’s social status in Japan remains fundamental in establishing relationship with others. While the status of individuals forms an essential element within the Japanese society, goals and self remain the fundamental aspect behind the establishment of the status. The element of individuality within the society becomes immensely admired wh en the individuals becomes perceived as sincere. While individuality is admired, extreme cases become negatively perceived as selfishness; which becomes the opposite of the value of empathy and human relations. The combination of these fundamental values presents a satisfactory balance between the society, environments, and the individual (Doi, 57). These values remain significantly important to the society, as they have contributed to the continued peaceful progression of the Japanese nation. Question 3 The social structure could be defined as a combination of different social arrangements resulting from and causing actions by members of the society. Social institutions have a significant impact on the roles played by