I would not say its unique to South Asian culture alone. Lets say, in one sweeping statement that this is the mindset prevalent in the East. Whether you talk of the Far East or the Middle East, the North East or the South East or you look at Central Asia, South Asia or West Asia… our cultural ethos; the values undergirding our day to day life style are more or less the same OR have had some common characteristics. For example family bonds, respect for elders so on and so forth.
With globalization, trends are changing, values have been altered and all that was western and considered modern has very subtly affected the foundations of our very distinct identity.
If we for a moment take our culture, we ‘ll see that an ‘individual’ is not alone. He or she is conected to others by a web of interconnected bonds. And we derive maximum benefit due to these connections.There are a lots and lots of advantages of this very aspect of our culture, where without even our consent we find people worrying about us, caring for our needs, feeling for us … the list is never ending.
However, there is one limiting factor as well… true that individualism is not really appreciated in our society and that frankly is not reflective of our values, however, everyone at some point in time takes decisions and initiatives that he or she deems best for him/herself.
So, in this context I have onserved that there is not much room for statements like, ’ this is my life’
Have you ever said or asserted yourself and if you did what sort of response did you get? Are Pakistanis living in the western countries more open and approve such a behavior put up by their kids or do they still believe in and carry the same mindset as mentioned above?
losty but does individualism mean that one is devoiud of any external influences? I mean if u are as fiercely independent as can be you still are influenced and impacted by peers, freinds, books, media, pop culture..whatever floats your boat. so why cant family and friends be in the mix as well? You can be very individualistic and independent as long as you are the one factoring all those other aspects of your own free will and choice rather than being forced to incorporate those factors.
i wont generalize it , but personally living in canada has influenced my values quiet a bit. but i have learned to balance it and so far its working just fine for me. u can have ur individualism while keeping up with desi values. :-)
I believe people assert themselves in such manner all the time, but they dont label it as a moment where thy have done so. Therefore, to me its implicit, underlying, but its there in many decisions we make, and lifestyle choices, from our first steps to our last breath.