Reflective Journal 2: Reflect on the progress in American and Chinese societies. (Hints: You can explore the notion of progress, which society/elements you deem to be more progressive)
In my opinion, I think that both China and America have progressed. This has been achieved through different methods by the two societies. In this journal, I will be evaluating the progress made by China and America based on two aspects: political involvement of the youth as well as education.
However, I understand that both the Chinese and Americans have different perceptions on the notion of progress, hence it is important not compare the progress of both societies using a single fixed mindset. This simply means that I cannot use the American point of view to evaluate China’s progress, nor can I use the Chinese point of view to evaluate America’s progress. The Chinese may define progress as solving pertinent issues such as income disparity, while the American may define progress as improvement of a democratic political system. Henceforth, I will be using political involvement and education as specific aspects for comparing the progress of the Chinese and American society. I shall begin by defining what progress is. Progress is the movement toward an improved or more developed state.
Firstly, I will be reflecting on the political involvement and attitudes of the youth in both societies. In my opinion, I feel that the American youths seem to be more progressed in this aspect. They are gradually becoming more engaged and involved in political activities. Putting political interest aside, I think the most significant element why the youths in America are involved in politics is due to the fact that they had taken the brunt of the economic downturn and are now facing numerous difficulties, mainly economically. They are the ones who are carrying the heavy burdens upon their shoulders. According to an article I read, numerous American youths are in debt and are also facing problems such as unemployment. According to statistics, as of July 2011, approximately 4 million American youths were jobless. With debts to pay yet being unemployed, it is inevitable that the American youths’ political optimism is eroded and they are resentful and angered with the government. Hence, this boils down to their political involvement of the youths as they want a change in government policies as well as economic assistance, as they are hopeful of a better situation after the changes take place. Though this situation reveals that the youths are becoming displeased with the government, I feel that this is still progress as the youths choose to be more politically involved so that their voices could be heard. If you voice out your opinions, there is a higher possibility that that change you yearn for can take place. Hopefully, the situation would take a turn for the better and American youths could receive the glimmer of hope they wished for.
In contrast, I feel that the political involvement of Chinese youths has not improved. The youths in China have been rather apathetic towards politics in China. This is perhaps due to the “ME Generation” of Chinese youth getting richer as a result of China’s development. It is now very common to see Chinese youth having ownership of designer goods and high-end products. I think the Chinese youth do not want to be involved in politics as they feel that their current situation is beneficial for them and hence they would rather let it remain status quo. According to an article I read, an interviewed Chinese youth said that a Nintendo Wii comes way ahead of democracy. From this, we conclude that the youths are more concerned about their material comfort rather than the country’s politics. However, besides this reason, I think that youths are also unwilling to take part or get involved in politics as they are put off by past events in political history. In another article, a Chinese interviewee mentioned that youths are also put off by past incidents such as the Tian An Men Square incident, which are non-democratic actions taken by the Chinese government to prevent the people from rising up against them. Thus, I feel that politics in China has not made much progress as the people, especially the youths, are not speaking up enough, hence this just allows the government to think that they are very satisfied with the current political situation and no change is required.
Secondly, I would be reflecting on the education systems in both societies. The Chinese and Americans have very different viewpoints on how education should be carried out. In America, I feel that education aims to nurture the students into people who can think out of the box and interact with society very well. This can be seen from a typical American classroom. Most of the class discussions are lead by the students who are always actively participating and voicing out their opinions. This trains the students to be more sociable and outspoken. Also, the teacher may not always be right. Students are encouraged to think creatively to challenge the teacher’s views on a matter.
In contrast, in China, I feel that education aims to nurture students into knowledgeable leaders of industry. Hence, a great amount of emphasis is placed on academic work and results, resulting in intense competition amongst the students. I myself have had a personal experience. When I was in the BSC programme, during the immersion with the Chinese students, I realized that they are constantly reading their textbooks and doing their work, even during their free time. Having experienced this, I feel that the Chinese education system is simply imbalanced, as it fails to develop the students holistically.
In conclusion, I feel that the American society still has an edge over the Chinese society in terms of progress in the areas of politics and education. However, these two factors are not enough to come to a comprehensive answer as to which society has progressed more, though I do acknowledge that both societies have made progress in their own ways, especially China in the past few decades.
[987 words]
