Blog 2:What Is the Relation Between Culture and Globalization?——LONG ZILIN

Part 1: Summary of the Readings

Culture and globalization are closely connected. Globalization allows people from different countries to communicate, share ideas, and learn about different ways of life. Through these connections, people may develop new opinions about family, education, work, and personal freedom. However, I do not think globalization always makes every culture the same. Instead, it can change how people understand and practice their own culture.

One important topic from the lecture is the difference between individualism and collectivism. Individualism places more importance on personal choice, independence, and privacy. Collectivism focuses more on group relationships, responsibilities, and harmony. These two cultural orientations can influence how people make decisions and understand their responsibilities to others. For example, a person who values individualism may believe that choosing a career is mainly a personal decision, while someone who values collectivism may also consider their family's expectations.

However, these ideas do not mean that everyone in a particular culture thinks in the same way. People may have different opinions depending on their experiences, age, and social environment. Globalization brings different values into contact, which may encourage people to question their beliefs or understand them in new ways.

Overall, I understand the relationship between culture and globalization as a process of change and interaction. Globalization introduces people to new ideas, while culture influences how they understand and respond to those ideas.

Part 2: What I Found Interesting

The most interesting point for me is that globalization may change cultural identity without completely destroying traditional values. Before thinking about this topic, I might have assumed that when people accept new ideas from other cultures, they gradually move away from their own traditions. However, I now think the relationship is more complicated.

One example that makes this topic meaningful to me is my own experience of studying abroad in South Korea. My parents hope that I can develop my career in my hometown in the future. When I decided to study in South Korea, they also felt that it was far away from home. They worry about the distance between us, and they hope that when I get married and have children in the future, I will stay in my hometown instead of marrying someone who lives far away.

I can understand their feelings because they want our family to stay close. For them, being close to family is an important part of life. Their opinions may be connected to traditional family values, which emphasize family relationships and responsibilities. However, as a young person, I also want to explore different opportunities and make decisions about my own future. Studying abroad gives me a chance to experience a different culture and think about what kind of life I want.

This experience helps me understand the difference between individualism and collectivism. From an individualistic perspective, people should have the freedom to choose where they study, work, and live. From a collectivistic perspective, these decisions may also affect the family, so family members' feelings and expectations are important. In real life, I do not think people have to choose only one side. I can respect my parents and care about my family while also wanting to make my own decisions.

For me, this is an example of how globalization can change the way people understand their culture. Studying in another country exposes me to new experiences and possibilities, but it does not mean that I no longer value my family. Instead, I may begin to understand family values differently from my parents. I think this is one way culture can continue while changing across generations.

Part 3: A Question for Discussion

This leads me to an important question: If young people choose to live far away from their hometowns or make different life choices from their parents, does this mean they are moving away from their traditional culture?

In my opinion, the answer is not necessarily yes. I do not think preserving a culture must mean following every tradition exactly as previous generations did. Culture is not only about specific rules or customs. It can also include family relationships, shared values, and a sense of belonging. These things may continue even when people's lifestyles change.

For example, a young person may choose to work or live in another country, even if their parents hope they will stay close to home. This choice does not automatically mean that the young person no longer cares about their family. They may still respect their parents, maintain close relationships with them, and take family responsibilities seriously. They may simply have a different understanding of how to balance family and personal goals.

However, I also understand why some people may be concerned about cultural change. If every generation changes traditional practices, some customs may gradually disappear. It can be difficult to decide which traditions should be protected and which ones can change. Parents may believe that staying close to family is an important part of their culture, while younger people may believe that choosing where to live and work is also important. Both perspectives reflect different priorities.

I do not think there is one simple answer to this question. Instead, I think families need to understand each other's feelings and expectations. It may be possible to respect traditional values while allowing younger generations more freedom to make their own decisions.

In conclusion, culture and globalization influence each other. Globalization changes the environment in which people understand their culture, while cultural values influence how people respond to globalization. Rather than simply destroying traditional culture, globalization can encourage people to reconsider what they want to preserve and what they want to change. For me, culture can continue across generations even when its meaning changes. The important question is how people can keep the values that matter to them while adapting to a changing world.