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Intercultural Communication 跨文化交流 (通识核心-创新)

Cultural Differences in Family Structure

Family is the core of any culture. A major function of the family is to socialize new members of a culture. As children are raised in a family setting they learn to become members of the family as well as members of the larger culture. The family provides the model for all other relationships in society. Through observation and modeling of the behavior of other family members, children learn about the family and society, including the values of the culture.

The family is the center of most traditional Asian societies. Many people worry about their families’ welfare, reputation, and honor. Families are often extended, including several generations related by blood or marriage living in the same home. A person’s misdeeds are not blamed just on the individual but also on the family—including the dead ancestors.

Traditional Chinese respect their elders and feel a deep sense of duty to take care of them. Children repay their parents’ sacrifices by being successful and supporting them in old age. This is accepted as a natural part of life. In contrast, taking care of aged parents is often viewed as a burden in North America, where aging and family support are not highly honored.

Filipinos, though somewhat Americanized, are still extremely family-oriented. They are dedicated to helping their children and will sacrifice greatly for their children to get an education. In turn, the children are devoted to their parents, who often live nearby. Grown children who go away and leave the country for economic reasons typically send large parts of their salary home to their parents and the rest of the family.

The Vietnamese family consists of people currently alive as well as the spirits of the dead and of the as-yet unborn. Any decisions or actions are based on family considerations, not individual desires. People’s behavior is judged on whether it brings shame or pride to the family. Children are trained to rely on their families and to honor elderly people.

Fathers in traditional Japanese families are typically stern and aloof. Many young people have said they would tell their fathers no more than they would tell a total stranger. The emotional and communication barrier between children and fathers in this country appears very strong after children have reached a certain age.

Traditional Latin American people are also family-centered. The family is the number one priority, the major frame of reference. They believe that family members must help each other. Children (of whom ether are many, due to high fertility rates) are taught to respect authority and are given many responsibilities at home. The family emphasizes authority with the males and older people being the most important. The family often includes many relatives, who remain in close contact. Family connections are the main way to get things done; dropping names (mentioning the names of important people the family knows) is often necessary to accomplish even simple things.

Although there has been much talk about “family values” in the United States, the family is not a usual frame of reference for decisions in mainstream culture. Family connections are not so important to most people. Dropping the names of wealthy or famous people the family knows is sometimes done, but it is not viewed positively. More important is a person’s own individual track record of personal achievement.

Thus, many cultural differences exist in family structures and values. In some cultures, the family is the center of life and the main frame of reference for decisions. In other cultures, the individual, not the family, is primary. In some cultures, the family’s reputation and honor depend on each person’s actions; in other cultures, individuals can act without permanently affecting family life. Some cultures value old people, while other cultures look down on them.