Different Cultures

In class last night, my professor discussed Indian (from India that is) culture and was explaining the collectivist mindset that prevails throughout much of the Asian and African parts of the world. He was discussing how in these cultures things like marriage and career are decided by family, rather than individuals. How arranged marriages are the norm and the decision to not abide by those decisions are seen as disgraces to the entire family and reason for excommunication.

He also described American culture as individualistic and rooted in personal decision, rather than communal consideration.

What was interesting is that I see Orthodox Judaism as a kind of blending of the two. I am not certain it always was, I think it might have been much more collectivist in the past. And I am not sure how much American society has filtered in to make it what it is today. But it was interesting.