Monday, November 22, 2010

Americans' Interaction with their Children

Statement: It has been said that in most societies children are often spectators watching adults interact. They are learning what it means to be an adult in their society. In American society, however, the adults are usually the spectators who are watching the children.

I have some findings from my observations in two places. Firstly, the aforementioned statement is so prevalent in sports events like a football game, hockey game, basketball game or soccer match. The adults are always very supportive to their children's game. Whenever they are free, they will spend time watching their children playing, shouting for them on top of their voice to give their support. Occasionally, you will hear some emotional parents swearing at other players who offended their beloved offspring. However, in Malaysia, I don't really see parents going to a field to support their children, be it a soccer match, badminton tournament or ping pong game. The reason, I believe, is they don't enjoy watching that or spending time that way.

My second observation was in restaurants. The parents are so loving that they will cater to every need of their children. For example, they will buy their children an ice-cream, if they request; they will buy them a dessert, if they want. In McDonald, adults will watch their children playing at the playground to ensure the safety. Besides that, I believe they also enjoy watching their children having fun at the playground. In Malaysia, the situation is almost the same for most parents. Nevertheless, some conscientious parents will not cater to every need or request from children. For instance, some parents will say having too much ice-cream is not good and reject their children's request. Another example, some will not buy their children soda like Coca-cola even if their children requested because they think it is not good for their health at this age.

All in all, I'd say that American parents, in general, are more loving and sensitive to their children's feeling.

Friday, November 12, 2010

American Families vs Malaysian Families

From my three months experience in the U.S., I have observed certain similarities and differences between American families and Malaysian families. I want to emphasize that I am speaking from my own experience and observation, it may not be all the cases.

First of all, American families and Malaysian families are different in a way they value individualism. Americans value individual freedom very much. I was surprised to know that Americans normally leave their home at age 18 for college. After 18, their parents, generally, will never have much influence over what they do in their life. After 21, they are totally on their own. Their parents will not interfere in their affairs. Their parents will not have a say on whom they are dating, what they are doing in college, and how they spend their money. After they have a decent job, they will normally have their own house and get married. They seldom live together with their parents, but with their wife and kids. So their parents have to look after each other when they are old. On the contrary, Malaysian parents are more conscientious towards their children even if they have become adults or even become somebody's parent. They tend to offer unsolicited advice to their children. For instance, what college is best suited for them, what bachelor degree is good for them, what kind of career can generate the most economic profit. Malaysian parents generally have some influence over the decisions their children make. There are some, I know, who would disapprove the spouse that their children bring home, and force their children to split up with him or her. Some filial children will obey resentfully; some will end up in a fight or a long argument with their parents. Moreover, staying with parents is assumed to be the children's responsibility and it can be fulfilled by any one of the children.

American families and Malaysian families are similar in the roles of the parents. The father will usually work for a living to support the family financially. The mother will take care of the household chores and her children's upbringing. Nowadays, there has been an increase in working mothers in our country too. I would say that 9 out of 10 Malaysian women work. They are juggling the roles of career and family responsibility. In terms of power, both men and women are equal in our country. Each one of them has equal say in family matters.

I have personally observed a handful of divorce cases in Malaysia. From what I know, America has a high divorce rate too. It is as if one out of two marriages ends in divorce. Although divorce is common in Malaysia, however, the way Malaysians view it may be different from the way Americans view it. Malaysian kids, generally, will be ashamed to say that their parents have divorced. In the U.S., it is, nevertheless, socially accepted. I believe traditional Malaysians are taught to be attached to their spouse for life, even if they find they share different visions for their lives or have learned to value different things. A divorce seems harsh to each other especially if they have children. They are wary of their children's feeling if they decide to split. On the other hand, Americans, in general, will not feel very embarrassed to divorce. When Americans find that their relationship is no longer happy and fulfilling after a continuous compromise and a deep and honest communication, they know that it is time where a hard decision should be made.

All in all, I'd say the concept of family is equally stable in the U.S. and also in Malaysia.

Friday, November 5, 2010

The U.S. voting process vs Malaysia voting process

I was quite lucky to have a chance to observe the election process in the U.S. 2010 is the year where the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the State election were held. I observed that the U.S. voting process is quite similar to Malaysia's because we are both democratic countries.

I will first explain the process in the U.S. In the U.S., voters will firstly need to register as a voter before they can cast their vote. Next they will be brought to their respective ward- the region they belong to- to be given the right ballot. After that they will go to a covered place to put down their vote in the designated ballot. Then they will insert their ballot into a machine and the machine will count their vote automatically. When the ballot is inserted, the voting process is done. The use of the machine is quite efficient and it serves to prevent frauds too. Besides that, the U.S. has a special machine at the polls where you can cast your vote online without the ballot. However, I can see that the majority of people still prefer to use the ballot method. Moreover, there were also a few election observers in the voting place to make sure the election goes smooth. They were the representatives from their respective parties, which were the Republican and the Democrat. They were trying to ensure the opposite party does not endeavor to influence the voter's decision. Furthermore, there is a special vote called "absentee vote", which is specially made for citizens who are not able to vote at their designated ward on that Election Day. With this system in place, they can vote prior to the election. The U.S. really has an excellent voting system to ensure every citizen can participate to form the government.

On the other hand, I cannot articulate the Malaysia's voting process because I haven't voted before. Nevertheless, I can tell that it is rather similar to the U.S. process based on what I heard from people and what I saw in the pictures. We need to register as a voter, then we will be given a ballot at our designated polls to cast our vote. Prior to the election, there are many campaigns going on to promote the politicians and the agenda they are going to bring up. We have a body named "Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya" to organize the election and ensure that the election is fair and transparent. The difference between the Malaysia's and the U.S.'s is the legal age to vote in Malaysia is 21; while it is 18 in the U.S. I just turn 21 this year. The next election will be in 2013 if I am not mistaken. Ask me after 2013 and I should be capable to utter it in more clarity.

In term of parliament structure, we have "Dewan Rakyat" (commonly referred to as the House of Representatives), "Dewan Negara" (commonly referred to as the Senate), and "Yang di-Pertuan Agong" serve as the Head of State. This ultimate legislative body is responsible for passing, amending and repealing acts of law. The difference with the U.S. is our "Yang di-Pertuan Agong" is not the chief executive of the nation, but the Prime Minister, who is elected by the citizens. "Yang di-Pertuan Agong" is the King from the noble royalty. However, he does not have much executive power. In the U.S., the President is the chief of the executive branch.

Lastly, I want to share with you one of my favorite quotes:
A leader thinks of the nation's future; a politician thinks of the next election.
Be a great leader of your beloved country!