Nurture

This week in class we observed what happens to children who were neglected a as a child. One child we observed was Genie, who was severely neglected as a child. When we was rescued, she did not know how to speak, and she stumbled as she walked. Similarly neglected was Dani. When she was found, her mattress was molded and her room infested with mice and insects. Dani was luckily adopted into a loving family, but still cannot speak very well.
Through these children we were able to understand the difference between nature and nurture. Both Genie and Dani had characteristics of animals. They couldn't feel hot and cold or pain. They over ate and didn't know how to control themselves. Their mental age was that of an infant. These children were failed to be nurtured. They were not held and loved-essentials for growth of children.
We also studied an experiment where some orphans were placed in a home for the mentally disabled. The patients took care of a child. On the other hand, the experiment observed orphans left in the orphanages who received much less attention as the other group of children. It was seen that children who were nurtured actually rose in IQ and eventually graduated college, and now married. While children who lacked the nurture, did not excel.
Through these lessons we realized that people are born with nature. The core of human life and personality. However, for growth and development, nurture is essential.

From these lessons I realized that there are so many factors that affect me-whether I realize it or not. My parent's kind of nurture affects me as a person. Whether they use a stick method or a carrot method, it shapes who I am. Similarly, school affects me. Coming from a higher middle class school, I am pressured into good grades and going to college. It already sets me into a mindset of being a "good student". All these "agents of socialization" affect me and my view of certain subjects.

When Happiness is Not Enough

This week in class we learned about our culture and our culture's view on happiness.
We continued to review Americans common virtues but we discovered that happiness is not one of them.

The end of last week, and the beginning of this week we watched "Tuesdays with Morrie". The movie was about a sociology professor named Morrie who was diagnosed with a fatal disease. We followed Morrie through the last few months of his life, and learned from him our culture's flaws. Through Morrie we were able to realize shame in certain things that our culture instills upon us. For example, our culture is ashamed of relying on others while praising independence. Furthermore, we are always on the run. We truly believe that "time is money".

The lessons we learned from Morrie leawayed us to the topic of happiness. What is happiness? How do we get happiness? Most importantly, how do we keep happiness.

Culture was a key to happiness. What kind of culture we live in directly affects our outlook on life, thus affecting our happiness.

In the book "Thrive", there was one advice that really spoke to me. It was an idea of a "giving account". An account you deposit money in the beginning of the year, and at the end of the year you donate it to any charity that you wish. However, during the year if you're met with life's injustices such as a parking ticket, you can pay it off we your giving account. I thought this was a clever way of giving. People who claim they are short on money usually do not realize that there are more unfortunate people. Just donating a dollar a day to the account can amount to a huge amount of money.

Americans are always so focused on money and believe we can buy happiness. We're constantly working, constantly on the move-and too many people sacrifice their family for work. As people, and as Americans we must realize that it takes more than money and personal pleasures to achieve happiness. We claim we just want to be happy, but our direct association with happiness and wealth has caused happiness levels to plummet in our country. How do we change our country's happiness levels when we think happiness is not enough.

Melting Pot?

This week in class we read an article about a German journalist's first visit to America.
He delineated the differences between globalized Germany and America.
For example, much of our food in grocery stores are already made or cut while in Germany
most food are natural.

America has always been known to be a melting pot.
Most likely because of the variety of culture that America contains.

I've always thought that I contribute to this melting pot.

As an Asian, I always felt different. Although I never lived in Korea, I always introduced myself as a Korean.
However, in class this week I learned that I relate more with American values.

The idea of equality struck me the hardest. Americans value equality in just about everything we do.

In Asian countries, it's common to look up to people who are older than you. We even have a different way of addressing girls and guys that are older than us--it's considered rude to address them by their name, just because they're older. This also goes with the idea of informality. In America, it is normal to see children address their parents, or their friends' parents by first name. However, in most Asian countries it is extremly rude to do that. In Korea, we have a formal way of speaking to adults.

Although our school and my church is filled with FOBS (fresh off the boat) I never find myself completly following that "rule". As an American, I find it unfair to call someone in a respective matter just because of their age or occupation. Thus, I call people however I want to til they earn my respect. (:

America vs. Austrailia

This week is sociology, we learned about culture differences.
We compared different cultures to see what differences there are.
We discovered that many differences are very subtle, or some may be a big deal.

Then, we continued to learn about subcultures, and what traits makes a group a subculture.
Material culture, Mores, Folkways, Taboos, Language-- are just a few aspects that we examined.

As a result of this unit, I wanted to compare two cultures that are relatively similar.
I chose to compare America vs. Austrailian culture. We have obvious similarities such as language,
along with general economic status.
However, I was surprised to discover many language differences there are between these two seemingly same cultures.

For example,
Iced Coffee in America is coffee with ice. (sometimes milk may be added)
Iced Coffee in Austrailia is milky coffee with whipped cream and ice cream on top. It's known to be more of a dessert than a beverage.

Thong in America is most commonly used to describe a type of womens underwear.
Thong in Austrailia is America's equivalent of a flip flop.

Rooting in America is used to cheer someone on.
Root in Austrailia means to have sex.

It is a colloquial term that is only slightly more socially acceptable than the “F” word.

 

There are other differences that can be found.

Such as, the drinking age. In America it is 21, but in Austrailia it is 18.

Also, internet services differ.

In America many people freely use the internet without worrying about a limit or the expenses.

In Austrailia on the other hand, internet is carefully measured and downloads can cause you to go over your limit, leaving you with a great bill.

 

These seemingly small differences can change your travel experience to either country.

I believe that everyone should try to learn more about other cultures so we can be more aware as well as understanding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://purpleslinky.com/humor/travel/australia-and-america-14-differences-that-can-get-you-in-trouble-while-traveling/#ixzz1aENgnybA

Blessing Experience

This past Wednesday I went to Harvest Vineyard Church in Evanston to volunteer. Every Wednesday this church has a food drive along with a clothes drive. People are allowed to come and have 2 bags of food per family along with 5 items of clothing or other items (such as books or baby material).

Truthfully, I was very nervous before going. I wasn't sure what to expect. On top of that, I was late. I had to stay at school until 5 and go all the way to Evanston. I was suppose to get there before 6, but got there a little past 6. Yet, when I went in, I was greeted with friendliness. A man named David showed me around. They were all surprised that I came all the way from Vernon Hills to volunteer, and thanked me many times. I didn't help out at the food drive, but was placed at the clothes drive. My job was to hand out bags to anyone who needed it and just talk with the people who may need my help.

When people received their food and began coming to the clothes section, I was really nervous. Also, I was one of the few that were new. Everyone else knew eachother or worked together before. I was afraid that I'll offer a bag to a volunteer-and i did at times. But everyone was understanding and no one was offended. I was taught to treat everyone there with respect, and at times I forgot if I was volunteering at a clothes drive or actually working at a clothes store.

I cry very easily.

And as soon as I saw the children tears started rolling out.

They were so thankful about everything. I would read one of the books on the table and they would giggle with delight. I'll offer them a piece of chocolate and they would thank me repeatedly. It made me realize everything that I take for granted, and how I'm rarely thankful for it. Not only am I not thankful, but I expect more. More clothes, more eating out, more movies. I'm always asking for more, while these kids only want their necessities.

While going home so many things were going through my head. The experience was blessing yet fun. The experience made me feel like I was making a difference, even in the smallest way possible. I'm coming back in a couple weeks, and I'm excited. I know that the next experience will provide me with unexpected surprises and blessings.