Social Norms in the USA and China
Hasan A. Yahya, Ph.D
This article covers aspects in both USA and China. The analysis about USA is an answer for the question: what things Americans talk about in their vacations and holidays? Some might say on politics, but it’s not true! Research findings show that 68% of Americans talk about family matters, Marriage, divorce, and travel. 10% percent about children, 8% percent about gifts and birthdays, 4%, percent about sports, and only 2% equally about food, and work.
As you see politics has nothing in their talks unless among professionals and affluent people. Arabs however, every single person is politician. Advice is to come to the USA in order to divorce politics and live happy life without politics!
Girls Foot Binding in Chinese Culture: This part of the article concerns China and some of its norms. Chinese culture has spent thousands of years developing largely outside of western influence. We are aware of China’s population which constitutes about 20% of the world’s population estimated at well over 1.5 billion people. One of the first observations many first travelers to China is the masses of people wherever you go. Westerners may have to ring in their personal space requirements when visiting here because personal space is scarce. Like Arab culture, distance is too short between persons walking, or riding public transportation.
Some norms in China, are considered odd to the average Westerner in particular observations about customs, which may be viewed as oppressive to women. This custom is girls foot binding, which is viewed as dangerous to girls natural development. Foot binding is related to how the Chinese traditionalists view the ideal image of a woman, one with narrow, pointed feet. These forced foot deformities were thought to be a sign of class, and a symbol of chastity. The feet of young Chinese girls are bound tightly – toes forced under the sole of the foot and, over time, are forced into smaller and smaller sized shoes. This practice is not dominant in the modern day China.
Public outcry over the practice started to come about towards the end of the 19th century. Still, today there are over 1 million Chinese women living with feet deformed by the practice. The construction of the Great Wall is an obvious example of efforts to keeping out external influence away. It is only recently that China has opened up to the ideas of western culture, particularly the free-market economy. (411 words) www.hasanyahya.com
Hasan Yahya is an American Arab scholar, and a professor of sociology. He published 20 plus books and 180 plus articles on sociology, psychology, politics, poetry, IQ Test Measurement and short stories in both Arabic and English. His articles (176 Plus) may be found on articlesbase.com, Face book and other internet sites. His recent book published on Amazon titled: Lawlaki: Lawlaki Poetry Diwan, Zawjat lil-Bay’s: Tales and articles, 2000 Bayt Min al-Shi’r al-Arabi and Zawjatu al-Sultan, all in Arabic.(On Amazon, July 2009). His recent activities reflects his talents and knowledge on youtube’s Dr. Yahya Channel TV under the name of askdryahya. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/humor-articles/social-norms-in-the-usa-and-china-1122959.html
