CULTURAL AND WORLDVIEW VALUE | YOUR CULTURE YOUR VIEW United States of America | HOST CULTURE Ethiopia |
INDIVIDUALISTIC vs COLLECTIVISM | I live within a very individualistic culture where the ties between individuals are loose and everyone is expected to look after himself or herself and his or her immediate family (1). This is not to say that there are not individuals within my culture (including me) who view society and family that embrace aspects of, or aspire for a collectivist mentality, however, I can assert that my culture is an "I" culture. | Ethiopia is a collectivist culture. Loyalty and strong relationships are paramount. Ethiopians have a long-term commitment to the member 'group' (a family, extended family, or extended relationships). The society fosters strong relationships where everyone takes responsibility for fellow members of their group (2). This culture is more of a "we" culture than an "I" culture. |
GENDER ROLE DEFINITION (MASCULINITY/ FEMININITY) | My personal life experiences lead me to the conclusion that the US is a masculine society. Masculine cultures are driven by competition, achievement and success, with success being defined by the “winner” or “best-in-the-field”. I am comfortable "standing out from the crowd" (2). | Ethiopia is more of a masculine society than a feminine one. Ethiopians “live in order to work”, therefore, managers are expected to be decisive and assertive, there is an emphasis on equity, competition and performance, and conflicts are resolved by fighting them out (2). |
POWER DISTANCE | In America, power distance is low -- people with little power accept that power is not equally distributed. We say that everyone is "unique" and this belief, that everybody is unique, implies that we are all unequal (2). The degree of power that I feel I can exert, or can exert over other persons, is fairly high (power being defined as the degree to which a person is able to influence other people’s ideas and behavior). I see clear examples of power inequality in my society and feel that I have the freedom to work to advance equality. | Ethiopians embrace a high power distance -- they accept hierarchical order in which everybody has a place and which needs no further justification. Hierarchy in an organization is seen as reflecting inherent inequalities, centralization is popular, subordinates expect to be told what to do and the ideal boss is a benevolent autocrat (2). |
UNCERTAINTY AVOIDANCE | I feel comfortable living life balancing uncertainty and exerting control over my future. I am an adventurous person who on a certain level enjoys spontaneity and can calmly endure "chaos". I do, however, like order and certainty but can function and thrive in uncertainty because I know that my ability to control my life and reality are limited - I believe that God is ultimately in control. | Ethiopians exhibit an "intermediate" score of uncertainty avoidance (2). This means that compared to American society, Ethiopians feel greater anxiety about having limited control over their future. To try and avoid threatening, ambiguous or unknown situations, they have created beliefs and institutions that try to protect them from these situations (2). |
LONG-TERM vs SHORT-TERM ORIENTATION | The US was rated low in this dimension by Hofstede. Tradition, and viewing societal change with suspicion are characteristics by a normative society that is short-term oriented (2). History, tradition and the rituals that define them are very important to me - I am a nostalgic soul! I can easily adapt to changes and spend considerable effort planning for the future, but am very rooted in the past. | The US and Ethiopia have similar low ratings on Hofstede's long-term orientation value scale -- this means they are short-term oriented. Saving face, respect and tradition, and reciprocation of greetings, favors and gifts are valued (3). |
INDULGENCE vs RESTRAINT | The US is considered an indulgent society - it is acceptable to indulge in desires and impulses rather than practicing restraint. I do "work hard to play hard" which emphasizes fun and leisure activities, yet I have a healthy sense of restraint in part due to how I was raised. I am goal-oriented and patient, therefore I have a strong ability to practice restraint and delay instant gratification. | Ethiopia is considered a "mid-position culture". The country falls in the middle of the indulgence vs restraint scale, balancing free gratification of desires with regulated, strict social norms (4). This means that within their culture, Ethiopians have moderate control over impulses. |
HUMAN NATURE | The US Constitution "appeals to human intelligence, conscience, and the fact that human beings are born free as particular features of human nature" (5). My personal beliefs of human nature acknowledge human intelligence, conscience and freedom and are also informed by my religious worldview. I believe humans are by nature sinful being, dependent on God's grace. | The "irrelevance of the individual" in Ethiopia's collectivist society implies a weak definition of human person-hood and human nature. Ethiopia's constitutional statement on human nature is short, ambiguous, and does not specify what constitutes human nature. This section of the constitution "seems to have been formulated to avoid the inevitability of relating human nature to human rights (or justice) and freedom" (5). |
AGENCY | In my society, I have a "sense of control" the ability to "author an action" (6). I believe that I have the ability to influence my future (to a degree) through my decisions and my actions. This contributes to a sense of agency in my life. My supportive upbringing has contributed to my sense of agency. | Although Ethiopia is a developing nation, "entrepreneurship has taken over the minds of the youth like [a] new fad ... the young realize they can get whatever they want by simply going out and working" (7). This indicates that contemporary culture and business are strengthening Ethiopians' sense of agency. Upbringing and the family dynamic also influences sense of agency. Child-headed households are much more prevalent in Ethiopian households than in America. Very young children demonstrate resilience as they bear the burden of supporting their families which I see as a manifestation of agency (8). |
COGNITION/ KNOWLEDGE | Education is emphasized in the US - it is seen as a necessary step for advancing in our society's social hierarchy. Education opens doors of opportunity yet the structure of our educational system is weak and does not favor the poor or minorities. Public schools are underfunded and fail the students who look to them for hope for a better future. I am fortunate to have the opportunity for an excellent education. In addition to more formal educational settings, I gain knowledge and self-awareness from life experiences. | Approximately 49% of males and 29% of female citizens are literate (9). These numbers indicate that education is not prioritized as it is in the US. More than half the children in the country do not attend school -- knowledge is passed down to the younger generations in an informal manner according to age and gender. Learning is very much a social activity guided by family or community members who teach important cultural and practical lessons needed in order to survive (in rural village, in particular) (10). |
TIME ORIENTATION | It is safe to say that most Americans are insulted by lateness. We are typically bound to rigid schedules and are very time-oriented. As an adult, I have trained myself to becoming increasingly time and task oriented. I am also working hard to "live in the moment," have an appreciation for the past, and not worry about the future. | Attitudes to time can be quite variable and context specific. Generally there is respect and value in being punctual, although not necessarily the same value that Westerners place on punctuality. When meeting times and reporting deadlines are agreed to, it is usually understood to be precisely at that time or on that date. However, one also needs to appreciate the difficult circumstances that most people live under -- there has to be some understanding of their circumstances (lack of transportation, sickness in the family) (11). |
MORAL SOURCE | My moral development began in childhood and was greatly influenced and formed by what I was taught when I was raised. Each culture, society, and individual believe that they embrace moral truth. In America, I think this is especially true - Americans are quick to judge the morality of other cultures and peoples and often try to assert their morality onto others. | The character of Ethiopian philosophy is determined by the particular conditions of evolution of the Ethiopian culture. Ethiopian philosophy arises from the confluence of Greek and Patristic (early Christian) philosophy with African traditional modes of thought (12). |
MORAL STANDARD | My parents' moral beliefs, being a 'PK' Pastor's kid), and my family's faith tradition had an obviously strong influence on my morals. Many stories found in the Bible and the teachings of Jesus are important moral guides in my life. | As a consequence of the influence of Greek and early Christian texts and practices, the moral reflection of religious inspiration is prevalent, and the use of narratives, parables, and rich imagery is preferred to the use of abstract argument (12). |
SEXUALITY | Compared to other countries, the United States has increasingly open culture of sexuality, in part, due to its prevalence in the media. There is constant dialogue about homosexuality, hook-up culture, marriage rights, among others. Recently, the problem of rape and sexual assault within the military and on college campuses has raised issues of victims' safety and rights. Sexuality and its taboos are freely discussed yet there exists a social stigma that sexually transmitted disease is a problem that faces poor, uneducated and promiscuous. I support LGBT rights and dialogues about healthy sexuality. Contrary to the culture in which I live, I choose to keep my sexuality a private matter. | Taking into account the huge youth bulge in Ethiopia, attention to sexuality education is crucial. Many NGOs are active in this field (13). Taboos around sexuality also mean that young people’s understanding of sexuality and reproductive health is limited. Many young people in Ethiopia are reluctant to attend health clinics for sexual health services, such as advice on contraception or family planning (14). Homosexual activity is illegal and a 2007 study found that 97% of Ethiopians believe homosexuality is an unacceptable way of life (15). |
JUSTICE | I agree with a statement by US Attorney General Eric Holder: "We need to ensure that incarceration is used to punish, deter and rehabilitate - not merely to convict, warehouse and forget" (16). I find the corruption, the death penalty, the private prison system, and racial inequality as pervasive issues that taint our justice system. I advocate for restorative justice and fairness within this system for peace. | Ethiopia's formal justice system is typical of Western models developed 50 years ago wherein there is little special protection for juveniles, few protections for those arrested or held in prison and no reference to alternative measures or restorative justice. It is freely acknowledged that the justice system has little impact of the majority of the population who prefer their own village/tribal processes of dispute resolution. Retributive justice is largely Western. The African understanding is far more restorative – not so much to punish as to restore a balance that has been knocked askew (17). |
TRUTH | Part of my life journey and purpose in life, is to come to a deeper understanding of what truth is, and what its implications mean for me. I look to the inspired word of the Bible for the truths that guide my actions and thoughts. I believe that only God holds the absolute truth and that humans are not fully capable of attaining the truth they seek. | Since 1973, more than 20 “truth commissions” have been established around the world, with the majority created between 1974-1994. Some were created by international organizations like the United Nation, a few by NGOs, and the majority by national governments (18). Ethiopia does not currently have a truth commission but could benefit from its implementation to address injustices that its citizens endure. |
ONTOLOGY: SPIRITUALISM vs MATERIALISM | I strive for an increasingly focused spiritual ontological worldview, however am heavily influenced by my culture's materialistic values. | As the economy of Ethiopia continues to grow, I expect that the country's spiritualism will weaken under the growing influence of materialism. |
DEITY | I believe in the triune God: God the Father, Jesus Christ his son, and the Holy Spirit. The three facets of the Trinity are distinct yet all are equally God. | The dominant religions are Ethiopian Coptic Orthodox Church and Islam. The former acknowledges the Holy Trinity (Father/Son/Holy Ghost) and the latter rejects the Trinity. Polytheistic religions also exist, typically in the lowland regions (19). |
PURPOSE IN LIFE | I'll do not believe that I will ever know with absolute certainty what my "purpose" is on earth. I depend on guidance and assurance from God to discern my "call" and act in faith that I am following that call to the best of my ability. I believe that fulfilling my purpose in life involves sharing my creativity and using my artistic talents to make meaningful change in the world. | I believe each person in the world has a specific purpose for their life. An Ethiopian's worldview is very different from my own, therefore I admit that I do not have enough knowledge to assume to know what their purpose in life is -- it is for each of us to learn. Like any other human being on earth, I can assume that Ethiopians desire happiness and well-being. |
websites referenced
(references denoted in text as (#) and listed in the order that they appear on this page)
1. http://www.novsu.ru/file/1092483
2. http://geert-hofstede.com/ethiopia.html
3. http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/long-term-orientation/
4. http://www.communicaid.com/cross-cultural-training/blog/indulgence-vs-restraint-6th-dimension/#.VHqWuvnF-So
5. http://books.google.com/books?id=DeUdQva7mQwC&pg=PA102&lpg=PA102&dq=ethiopia+human+nature&source=bl&ots=6QegS6WcnN&sig=JWT2LrvtzHSEHFKfFAk_YBnOaVw&hl=en&sa=X&ei=WJ56VO-tILaOsQTatIH4Ag&ved=0CFMQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=ethiopia%20human%20nature&f=false
6. http://www.philosophy.ox.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/2756/sense_of_agency_web.pdf
7. http://www.deepethiopian.com/2009/04/so-what-does-it-feel-like-being.html
8. http://resourcecentre.savethechildren.se/library/reversed-roles-and-stressed-souls-child-headed-households-ethiopia
9. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/et.html
10. http://www.ablongman.com/partners_in_psych/PDFs/Gardiner/gardiner_CH05.pdf
11. http://www.intercultures.ca/cil-cai/ci-ic-eng.asp?iso=et#cn-4
12. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopian_philosophy
13. http://ethiopia.nlembassy.org/development-cooperation/sexual-and-reproductive-health-and-rights-srhr.html
14. http://www.fpconference2013.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Marie-Stopes-International-Ethiopia-Call-Centre.pdf
15. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Ethiopia
16. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/13/incarceration-rate-per-capita_n_3745291.html
17. http://www.restorativejustice.org/editions/2007/may07/ethipia
18. http://humiliationstudies.org/documents/AvruchTRC.pdf
19. http://www.everyculture.com/Cr-Ga/Ethiopia.html#ixzz3Efw48HY5
1. http://www.novsu.ru/file/1092483
2. http://geert-hofstede.com/ethiopia.html
3. http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/long-term-orientation/
4. http://www.communicaid.com/cross-cultural-training/blog/indulgence-vs-restraint-6th-dimension/#.VHqWuvnF-So
5. http://books.google.com/books?id=DeUdQva7mQwC&pg=PA102&lpg=PA102&dq=ethiopia+human+nature&source=bl&ots=6QegS6WcnN&sig=JWT2LrvtzHSEHFKfFAk_YBnOaVw&hl=en&sa=X&ei=WJ56VO-tILaOsQTatIH4Ag&ved=0CFMQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=ethiopia%20human%20nature&f=false
6. http://www.philosophy.ox.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/2756/sense_of_agency_web.pdf
7. http://www.deepethiopian.com/2009/04/so-what-does-it-feel-like-being.html
8. http://resourcecentre.savethechildren.se/library/reversed-roles-and-stressed-souls-child-headed-households-ethiopia
9. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/et.html
10. http://www.ablongman.com/partners_in_psych/PDFs/Gardiner/gardiner_CH05.pdf
11. http://www.intercultures.ca/cil-cai/ci-ic-eng.asp?iso=et#cn-4
12. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopian_philosophy
13. http://ethiopia.nlembassy.org/development-cooperation/sexual-and-reproductive-health-and-rights-srhr.html
14. http://www.fpconference2013.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Marie-Stopes-International-Ethiopia-Call-Centre.pdf
15. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Ethiopia
16. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/13/incarceration-rate-per-capita_n_3745291.html
17. http://www.restorativejustice.org/editions/2007/may07/ethipia
18. http://humiliationstudies.org/documents/AvruchTRC.pdf
19. http://www.everyculture.com/Cr-Ga/Ethiopia.html#ixzz3Efw48HY5