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.
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ReplyDeleteIt is good that you pointed out the two countries may have different mindset and goals to achieve. It is always good to have a more diverse perspective to make a judgement right.
ReplyDeleteHowever, are you saying you will use the Chinese perspective when judging China’s progress, and vice versa? You should state that you are using Your opinion in the reflective journal, not only because you did so below(which make this perspective paragraph somewhat irrelevant), I don’t think you have the right to represent Chinese or American government and tell us about their progress. In paragraph 2, line 6, I do not see reasoning process of “Henceforth”, which means I have no idea how does using political involvement and education for comparison help in solving the problem brought up in the previous sentence. It would be good to tell us a little more about that.
I disagree with your last sentence of 4, as I think the government are clearly aware that some issues have to be solved, and they are providing economic benefits to pacify the public, instead of unaware of the problems.
Chen Liangrui
Hi Alex,
ReplyDeleteI have read your reflective journal on political involvement of the Chinese and American youth as well as the comparison on the different education systems. I actually agree with you on your point on the political involvement of the Chinese and American youth, however, my point of view differs from yours regarding the education systems in China and America.
Firstly, I believe that both the attitudes of the Chinese and American youth towards politics are shaped and strongly influenced by the society and environment they live in. America, being a democratic country, is more liberal and there is freedom of speech. As you pointed out, American youths would be more motivated to actively participate in politics to shape their own future. However, I feel that we cannot fully blame the youth for being apathetic towards politics in China. Furthermore, humans have always been wary of the unknown. The concepts of democracy and capitalism could very well be alien to many of the Chinese. Furthermore, these middle and higher-class Chinese youths are enjoying the time of their lives, so they see don’t see why they should be actively involved in shaping the political scene in China, especially when its working so well for them.
Secondly, I disagree with you in your view and perceptions of the Chinese and American education systems. I feel that you are stereotyping both the Chinese and the American education system, something that I have addressed in my reflective journal. You said that there is actually lively discussion in the American classroom but I believe that is a generalization of the American students. I feel that there are flaws with the American education system. The American education system is not as rosy and perfect as you portrayed it to be. To start off, false stereotypes of the American education system portray Americans to be creative, innovative people. Furthermore, American students lose out to their Asian counterparts in terms of academic studies. Academic test statistics show that best and brightest students of America lose out to many Asian students in areas such as math and science. The problem here is that America has too little focus on academics. This problem has been noted by the Obama administration and that is part of the rationale for the Obama education reforms. Measures have been taken to help students excel in areas such as math and science. Incentives are also given to encourage students to perform well academically. Hence, I would to point out that there are some faults with the American education system and that we shouldn’t base our perceptions on generalizations.
Ming Hao
Hi Alex,
ReplyDeleteI like how you identified the differences in the two countries' perception on the notion of progress, which I feel very strongly for. I agree with you that the American youths are only taking action only because their own interest are at stake and that despite their intentions the fact that they are voicing their opinion freely and boldly is a sign on political progress.
I would also like to add on that the Chinese youth might not be motivated to voice up to the government not because they are aware of the dire consequences of doing so. It can be perceived as treason and then lead to punishment by the government. Even if a revolution is stirred up successfully, it will not be good for China's economy, especially when they are finally in a political stable period where they can focus on their economy and catch up with the countries that overtook them when China is constantly under fire and crisis in the 20th century.
You commented that the Chinese education is unbalanced and does not develop the students holistically. On an economic basis, this might be what the country needed, a large educated workforce with appropriate and adequate skills to carry out quality work under perhaps a rigid and strict leadership.
But on a humanist point of view, it should be the student's freedom to choose what they learn and to plan heir own futures. But then of course, back to the first point of all, the notion of progress is highly subjective and shouldn't be judged based on another's perception.
Yixin