Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Discussion 3: Conflict Management
It was interesting to read about the various perspectives of conflict among different cultures because I didn't realize how many ways certain countries perceive group conflict. The book gave an example that compares the culture of sharing homework answers between kids from a Mexican background and kids from a North American background, saying that Mexican kids are more likely to share answers because they are taught the value of cooperation, generosity, and solidarity. On the flip side, North American students are taught to be more independent and value individual success; this discourages sharing answers because it is viewed as cheating. There are aspects of both perspectives that I like. For the North American perspective, I like the idea that individuality and self-sufficiency are valued because we won't always have someone else to help us or bail us out of a situation, so we need to be able to learn how to do certain things on our own. Conversely, I like how the Mexican culture stresses group cooperation and solidarity because that can help kids learn about working as a team and being more social. To me, a kid that tries to help a classmate figure out an answer rather than just taking the shortcut and giving away the answers for the homework shows a happy medium between cooperation and individuality.
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haha i think its kind of funny how Mexican kids sharing answers is helping and group work. American students helping each other, well now thats called cheating hahaha. I guess Mexican culture, parents raise their kids to rely on each other for help and growing up. Whereas American culture, many parents want their kids to make a name for themselves, and thats where individuality plays in. Its good that everyone is built upon a foundation of cooperation. I believe that cooperation would end up being way more beneficial than individualism in todays society. Mexicans are definitely trying to push for a selfless future, where as American society is pushing for a more selfish future.
ReplyDeleteHi Burgs
ReplyDeleteI like the concept that you discussed and found it interesting as well. I also didn’t realize how many ways certain countries perceive group conflict. I liked the example that the group talked about with the two different cultures and their views on sharing homework answers. It is no surprise to me than the North American kids are taught more independence and value individual success, which makes it discouraging to share answers. Sharing like you mention is viewed as cheating and lot of kids would rather not be labeled as a cheater. I do like the values more of the Mexican students however. They are taught the value of cooperation, , generosity, and solidarity and they are good things to know. Both cultural values are good to know and I liked how you suggested the happy medium and agree that it a good way to cooperate.
Hi Burgs, I too agree that reading about how different cultures perceive conflicts differently was very interesting. You discussed how children from Hispanic backgrounds share their homework answers with other children. That is viewed as helping each other while in North America, we would view it as “cheating” or a negative thing. I personally think we should all do our own work unless we are assigned to groups. Other than that, children will never learn how to be self motivated in doing their own work. You gave an example on both your two points and I agree that group projects will teach a child about team work and working on your own work. This will help a child be more independent and motivated. Very nice work, I really enjoyed reading what you had to say.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI found it to be interesting as well that conflict is perceived differently among different cultures. The example you shared from the book was helpful in understanding this as I was unaware that such a divide exists, especially among children of different cultures. Last semester I took an intercultural communication class where we touched a little on the subject; however, the course focused more on the differences in communication styles as opposed to styles of conflict. I really like your closing sentence and agree with you that a student who helps a classmate with an answer is not necessarily cheating; rather they are just trying to be helpful and cooperative.