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Difference between Asian and Western cultures

As a psychotherapist and working with the different cultures, I have come to realize while there are vast differences between the diverse cultures, there are many commonalities.

According to Paul B. Pederson, author of Culture-Centered Counseling Interventions, who asserts
"The Eastern and Western viewpoints are not competing but, rather complementary view of reality, and the false dichotomy of materialism versus spiritualism and of West versus East must be transcended. Each must be understood within its own context."

But you can not classify all Asians into one culture group any more than you can say all Americans are alike, all Europeans are alike or all Africans are alike. The Asian culture consists of China, Japan, India, and Philippines, very different countries with different religions.

To relate with a person of a different culture, race, gender, or social-economical background it is necessary to understand the particular culture, or sub-culture your client or aquantance is from, and to understand his/her belief system.

China is Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Islam and Christian. Japan is Shinto, and Buddhism. India is Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim. The Philippines is 80 percent Catholic.

Outside of religious differences, the Western cultures tend to be more individualist while the Asian cultures focus more on the group as a whole. A Westerner asks, "What's in it for me," the Asian asks, "How will my actions affect the group. Will my action bring honor or shame to my family, community, or country?"

In Asia, as a whole, one's spiritual life is more important than in the Western world. Asians devote much time to contemplating, meditation and gaining insight into situations and life. Western societies are drifting away from their once strong Catholic/Protestant ethics.

In recent years there has been a blending of the cultures as the Western world is awakening to the fact the Euro ethics may not be the only ethic and that there is a great deal of merit in the Eastern cultural beliefs.

Learn more about this author, Mary Byrd.
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