Completely different goals for all cultures. For example, children in Kwara’ae of Oceania have grown themselves to the market to sell. Likewise, Fore (New Guinea) infants handle knives and fire safely by the time they are able to walk. In America, higher education (learning literature) would be more important.
My Exmaple:
I immigrated to America from Korea when I was about eight years old. In my culture, ‘respecting elders’ is very important. Instead of waving hands to elders, we bow. I have a friend who was born in U.S. I remember we were both watching TV on my bed, and my mom came into my room. My mom expected her to get up and bow to her, but she didn’t get up. Just by looking at my mom’s face, she was in shock. Even though Sarah and I am both Korean, she’s more aware of American culture than Korea culture.
Hi Laura,
ReplyDeleteIt is really interesting how different respect is looked in different cultures. In American culture it does not seem like respect is valued as much. I say this because I work at a daycare and the children used to be and still are at times very impolite and even rude. They expect everything, and do not ask politely. It got to the point where staff was so fed up at being talked to rudely and being disrespected that we started a "respect chart." The respect chart is where we give the children incentives such a Wii day and free day etc through them doing different respectful things which encourage good character building. Many children have improved a lot, but it is sad that we have to go to such lengths for something that should come naturally.
I agree with maia that respecting elders is so different in every situation and every culture. At home, my parents are pretty much my friends and we joke with each other all time. However, at school i am expected to have a different sort of respect for elders. I also believe that in early childhood education, it is important for children to learn how to respect elders and be respectful of all cultures.
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