2/12/2021

Week 6 Response to “Individualism vs. Collectivism”

 

According to Ayn Rand a Russian- American writer and philosopher, “Racism is the lowest, most crudely primitive form of collectivism.” It is a belief that a man is to be judged according to his/her collective of ancestors, not by his own character and actions. Let me explain the advantages and the disadvantages of the perception of the individualism vs. Collectivism views of mankind. A man should be judged according to these categories, his/her agency, cultural background, and in the highest realm.

Agency is the freedom to choose between good and evil it is a free gift given to all of us. It is our inalienable and divine right what we will believe, and choose what we want to and what we want to do, and what we want to become. Right choices make individuals grow in character, power, knowledge, faith, and all other good things. In contrast, wrong choices limit our freedom, powerlessness, and make men miserable. In the Holy writ of Galatians 6:7 it says, “Be not deceived, God has not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” meaning individual shapes as a result of any choices he makes. In addition, in the ‘Book of Mormon’ a book that is considered another testament of Jesus Christ by the LDS believer portrayed a wonderful verse that teaches us how to make a righteous judgment, Moroni the last prophet in the ‘Book of Mormon’ declares, “For I remember the word of God which saith by their works ye shall know them; for if their works are good, then they are good also. For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing.” We will learn to understand that to judged justly is not by the collectivistic views but also by individualistic freedom to choose who wants them to become.

Cultural background plays a significant role as the consequences of the disadvantages of individualism and collectivism viewpoint of human society according to ‘National Center on Secondary Education and Transition’ under Part 111 – Continuum of “Individualistic” and “Collectivistic” values said,’’ the individualistic view of people as independent units leads to an emphasis on a range of self-oriented values and skills that support independent living. These values include self-sufficiency, self-determination, self-advocacy, self-competence, self-direction, self-efficacy, self-regulation, self-reliance, and self-responsibility. On the other hand, the collectivistic view of people as interdependent leads to an emphasis on group-oriented values and skills that contribute to effectively filling roles within the family or other group. Instead of living independently or going away to college, the young adult may be expected to remain at home and fulfill roles within the family.” Let me explain this in the simplest way by sighting some examples of individualistic and collectivistic values and the advantages and disadvantages. My father is ¼ Spanish blood he acquires a lot of values and characters from his half Spanish father. Family holds a special place within the Spanish worth. Family is a symbol of safety, integrity, recognition, and love. Spanish is respectful tend to appreciate the world and people around them. I remember when one of my sisters made a mistake, we will all face the consequences. As a result, we feel lost of individual freedom that can lead us to stagnation of self-worth and growth. In contrast, we learn to value collaboration, work in a harmonious environment, watch each other, our elder sisters guide us not to makes mistakes. When my father was converted to the LDS faith, he learned to value freedom and the worth of individualism just not like collectivism as a result we can now proceed to higher education, improve our individual talents, and enjoy our individual rights. In order for us to be called a good citizen or a good Samaritan, we tend to value individuals in the highest sphere of the realm regardless of their culture, values, beliefs, the color of the skin, political and educational background, social and economic status.

The origin of the word ‘Realm’ middle English realme from old French alteration (influence by Old French reial royal) of Latin regimen government from regere to rule reg-in Indo- Europian roots and from word definition of the realm which means kingdom. We know and accepted by some the beliefs that the origin of man came from the first man and woman named Adam and Eve that was created by what they called God. That all mankind belonged into one kingdom the family of Adam and Eve and man were created by the image of God, this fact supported from the holy writ in the ‘Bible’ that was written in Genesis 1:27 it says, “So, God created man in His own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” As we apply and believe this principle, we can judge a man in the highest meaning of his/her divine potential. I do believe that if we are a teacher, parents, leaders and we perceive everyone in the same aspect we can enjoy a satisfying and secure relationship with them. A good relationship between the teacher and the students builds trust and excitement to learn more and discover new things. Stressed in relationships from both teachers and students lead to mental health and overall. It has been proven that happiness, positive emotions, and engagement has many benefits: enhances motivation, academic achievement, people live longer, more creative, more successful, better problem-solving skills can concentrate better on particular activities. Happiness builds strengths and can boost children’s optimism.

 I remember my English teacher sister who teaches 11 years in the public school. This sister is so serious in her profession and it must be, she often got exhausted from work because she wants her students to be successful not only in learning the English language but also obtain a good character. One day she was hospitalized and realized life is worth living, we need sometimes to have fun. Janet Hamilton wrote in ‘25 Things Successful Teachers Do Differently’ said, ‘’Don’t be serious. Some days, “fun” should be the goal. When students feel and see your humanness, it builds a foundation of trust and respect. Fun and education aren’t mutually exclusive either. Using humor can make even the most mundane topic more interesting.” If we broaden our understanding about individual worth towards our students we don’t need to feel exhausted because sometimes growth, learning, and character of the students derive from the different upbringing of their parents no matter what culture they came from beliefs, values, traditions, social, and economical status.

However, collectivism sometimes has a good impact in some way for example in Japan they give importance to work together as one for the benefits of the result of a great work that produces high-quality products. To paraphrase in ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ Stephen Covey an American educator, author, businessman, and keynote speaker believes that interdependence has a greater result in any aspect of your life. In fact, trees can’t grow straight forward without the other trees beside him the same with the family we can’t be successful without the help of our family members. In October 1993 Jeffrey R. Holland of the first quorum of the seventy of the ‘Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints' testifies, “…God’s limitless love for his children, of his unquenchable desire to help us heal our wounds, individually and collectively.” Individually pertaining to our desire to believe Him and accept Him as our Savior and collectively as His beloved brothers and sisters no matter what race we belong.