Cultural Conceptions, Pre-Conceptions & Perspective Of Cultures
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 2:00 pm
In my Training Record Essential Knowledge, I got the below question I've just completed. Can someone please help me to check whether I'm correct or not.
I know/recognise:
- My own cultural conceptions, pre-conceptions and perspective of diverse cultures
My answer:
In Chinese culture, the Chinese have ingrained in them a strong obligation to look after the elderly parents. The Chinese tradition is of a duty of care for its elderly parents, which exists to a greater degree than in the western culture. In Chinese culture, it is irresponsible of the children/child if the elderly parents are put in the nursing homes and the children’s reputation will be considered as bad children/child. In Chinese culture, often the task of looking after the elderly parents will be delegated to the eldest son in the family. As for the western culture, there is more of a propensity to put elderly parents into nursing homes. When I was young, I used to think that in the western culture, when the elderly parents are put in nursing homes, there is a lack of duty of care in taking care of their elderly parents. However, this is not the case as I’ve grown and understand the other cultures have their own perspective and ways of doing things. In fact, in the western culture, it is not the lack of duty of care, but an inability to cope as they normally work and live far away from their elderly parents. Also in the western culture, the people who are now older have lived an independent life away from their children (for the most part) and are proud of their independence lifestyle. They don't want to feel as they are losing control and some will not make the changes for others in their family to care for them, such as moving in with them or moving closer which would be very helpful in caring for them. Some opt to live in retirement assisted communities or nursing home as a choice because they believe they have more freedom than living with their families.
Thanks
Selena
I know/recognise:
- My own cultural conceptions, pre-conceptions and perspective of diverse cultures
My answer:
In Chinese culture, the Chinese have ingrained in them a strong obligation to look after the elderly parents. The Chinese tradition is of a duty of care for its elderly parents, which exists to a greater degree than in the western culture. In Chinese culture, it is irresponsible of the children/child if the elderly parents are put in the nursing homes and the children’s reputation will be considered as bad children/child. In Chinese culture, often the task of looking after the elderly parents will be delegated to the eldest son in the family. As for the western culture, there is more of a propensity to put elderly parents into nursing homes. When I was young, I used to think that in the western culture, when the elderly parents are put in nursing homes, there is a lack of duty of care in taking care of their elderly parents. However, this is not the case as I’ve grown and understand the other cultures have their own perspective and ways of doing things. In fact, in the western culture, it is not the lack of duty of care, but an inability to cope as they normally work and live far away from their elderly parents. Also in the western culture, the people who are now older have lived an independent life away from their children (for the most part) and are proud of their independence lifestyle. They don't want to feel as they are losing control and some will not make the changes for others in their family to care for them, such as moving in with them or moving closer which would be very helpful in caring for them. Some opt to live in retirement assisted communities or nursing home as a choice because they believe they have more freedom than living with their families.
Thanks
Selena