Comparisons

Questions to Ponder: Comparisons

We have examined the universal elements. Now consider the differences.

Native Americans versus East Asians

The best way to find differences is to look at the opposite ends, right? So let us look at two virtually opposite cultures. Native Americans (mostly North America) and the Eastern Asians (China, Japan, and South Korea) are almost culturally polar opposites. They are as far apart in their beliefs as they are physically on a map. Both have gender-typical roles and both believe in the sanctity of all the Earth, but East Asian cultures are patriarchal rather than the gender-equivalency found in most of the remaining Native American cultures.

It is rather common knowledge that cultural norms are built from common belief systems. These can be seen in society today in a number of ways, like the political climates- that affects your day-to-day life, right? I am sure politics was around as early as there was organization. It is just human nature. But I digress; belief systems can be religious, too. Many early cultures were very heavy into their religion. Not being involved might anger the god(s) and therefore bring their wrath upon you or your village. These beliefs built the basis of divergent cultures.

Eastern Asians, particularly the Japanese, have always been a very traditionalistic society. Many still hold to some of the oldest religions where honoring your ancestors is as vital as eating and drinking. But their overall society is based on men having more power than women: the definition of a patriarchy. This goes all the way back to one of their creation myths where, before the world could be populated, the male entity decided they needed to walk around the world. When they met and the female entity speaks first, the male is angry and demands they walk around the world again so that he can speak first! In their earlier cultures, East Asian women were subservient to men. Chance or cause-and-effect?

In comparison, you have the Native Americans. Each tribe has an individual mythos, but very few specify gender. Instead, their creators are often gender-neutral great spirits that created humans to protect the Earth. Culturally, men and women are close to equal. Men would still hunt, yes, because they are physically built different than women, and women would also bear children and farm. They remained a hunter-gatherer civilization far longer than most others. Each gender had its strengths, but also weaknesses that the other made up for. Power could reside in the most capable, not just those born into power. 

There are a large number of conclusions that can be drawn from the argument of gender-equality, modern and mythological. One note that pops into my mind for further consideration is that the Native American society is, tragically, almost wiped out, but the Japanese society is strong and almost unchanged through many centuries. I wonder if that has happened in other gender-equivalent cultures; I would like to see if there is a pattern...