Homogenous Cultures
For a while I’ve been more focused and interested in extremely sophisticated, cultured and established countries and societies. At the time I didn’t realize until now how unfair I was being to my own home country and I feel we all do as well. I don’t think I’m alone, we’re constantly let down and disappointed with our own country, culture and education here in the US when we compare with other seemingly more productive, efficient or just better overall countries like Nordic and Scandinavian countries — Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland and Denmark. Or Asian countries — China, Japan, South Korea. We don’t consider the fact that countries and societies like these seem so much more organized or better is because they don’t have to deal with as much diversity as we do in the US at all.
If everyone has the same background, were raised with the same culture or values, have the same history, it’s much easier for everyone to get along and there won’t be a constant struggle with identity issues. There won’t be nearly any misunderstandings with how people act, talk or behave. With less people feeling left out there won’t be resentment or much anger to do things that are drastically dangerous or violent because everyone gets along and feels like they belong. With everyone getting along so well, everything will be more consistent and unified. If majority of people not only look the same but behave, act, think and work the same, of course everything becomes more efficient and productive.
A lot of journalists, politicians and parents complain and point out how much smarter and more educated other countries are than the US. How far behind we are. How we lack discipline and our kids are just not good enough compared to the Chinese, Koreans, Japanese, Finnish, Danish, Swiss or German kids. What we fail to consider is that majority of countries that are at the top in terms of proficiency and efficiency are no where near as diverse as the United States. In developed countries like the ones I mentioned have not only a standard of excellence that’s expected in academics and business but a standard of culture and history that everyone is already used to and familiar with. Having the same background, culture, appearance and history, it’s much easier to push people to improve and reach those high expectations based on tradition and a developed culture that’s already customary.
The United States as a country that’s more open to immigration than others, not just accepts the best from other countries but the worst as well. It’s much harder with more obstacles for schools, government and institutions to balance all the different cultural values of so many different people. There are many people who’ve been brought up to believe that school and reading is not important and a waste of time. There are people who were brought up in a culture of luxury and excess. There are so many bad influences and examples that people are already comfortable and used to. With so many conflicting and different backgrounds, culture and values, it’s no wonder the academics, economics and financial progress of a country or society like the Unites States is not always going to be consistent or perfect.
It does not mean that I don’t still admire or appreciate more homogenous countries and societies like in Northern Europe or Asia, I still have a huge amount of respect and admiration, there are so much to learn and be fascinated with. However I don’t want to disregard my own country (United States) and make unfair comparisons, it’s very hard to appreciate just how great the United States is, it’s truly incredible, this is coming from someone who hasn’t always been the proudest citizen. Should we have more of a unified and homogenous culture as a nation? Don’t really know, but I feel as much as it is a minor disadvantage, our diversity, I believe it’s an even more bigger and positive advantage to have.
