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Cultures Different Cultures Are Very Thesis

In rare cases, mothers taught their daughters reading and writing. At 15, girls were expected to marry men their fathers chose for them. Interestingly, this was only the fate of wealthier girls. Peasant girls chose their own husbands when working in the fields (Fisher and Harlan). Japan

According to Tomoko Shimoda, the traditional Japanese family is regarded as very important, also with specific roles for women, men and children. Although Western influence has standardized education and emancipated women, they are still generally regarded as mostly active and highly important in the household. Women maintain the family finances and care for the children, while the role of men is to be engaged in work, which mostly constituted the family business. Both girls and boys are educated, although boys are steered towards taking over the family business while girls are taught housekeeping and accounting skills. In the past, marriages were generally arranged, like in ancient Greece. This is no longer the case, but a strong commitment to family is still regarded as extremely important.

Effect of Individual Personality and Development

Both the Greek and Japanese system appear to dictate somewhat rigid roles for both males and females. This would probably have some effect upon future dreams and expectations. Young people are told the limits of what they are to do. In the Greek culture, it seems that boys had considerably more choice than girls. They had several career opportunities to choose from. Girls may grow up to resent...

This is particularly so if they were as intelligent as the literature about ancient Greece would suggest.
In Japan, girls also appear to be limited in their choices. According to Shimoda, this is partly due to the media in the form of parenting magazines. These magazines tend to promote traditional roles for men and women in the home, where fathers are not as concerned with the children as mothers.

I believe that traditional gender roles have the most impact upon the development of individuals within a culture. Growing up with the belief that men are more important in society, girls will also grow up with the belief that it is their role to serve them. As mentioned, however, it could also lead to resentment. Either way, it is interesting to examine the facets of these cultures, especially as they relate to Western culture today.

References

Crystal, Ellie. Ancient Greek Education. http://www.crystalinks.com/greekeducation.html

Fisher, Grant and Harlan, Cheri Beth. The Roles of Men, Women and Children in Ancient Greece. http://chalk.richmond.edu/education/projects/webunits/greecerome/Greeceroles1.html

Shimoda, Tomoko. Representations of Parenting and Gender Roles in the Shoshika Era: Comparisons of Japanese and English-Language Parenting Magazines. Electronic Journal of Contemporary Japanese Studies. 14 Jan 2008. http://www.japanesestudies.org.uk/articles/2008/Shimoda.html

Sources used in this document:
References

Crystal, Ellie. Ancient Greek Education. http://www.crystalinks.com/greekeducation.html

Fisher, Grant and Harlan, Cheri Beth. The Roles of Men, Women and Children in Ancient Greece. http://chalk.richmond.edu/education/projects/webunits/greecerome/Greeceroles1.html

Shimoda, Tomoko. Representations of Parenting and Gender Roles in the Shoshika Era: Comparisons of Japanese and English-Language Parenting Magazines. Electronic Journal of Contemporary Japanese Studies. 14 Jan 2008. http://www.japanesestudies.org.uk/articles/2008/Shimoda.html
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