Discussion1 – Summarization

Our group had a very interesting discussion on the questions given to us. I will summarize the questions that my group member were most actively engaged in.

For the Second Question, our group had a similar approach to answering the question. Our group members gave a great metaphor/character from Mesoamerican mythology for its relation to the local landscape and expressed their concern towards environmental issues.

Fei pointed out that natural landscapes and animals are often endowed with human qualities. Where Fei Give an example of three giants in Urajuq. Fei explained these giant’s journey of going to the south sought food but eventually starved to death on the road. Fei claimed people in Ancient time believed any products of nature was a gift from the gods where people showed a sense of cherishing and gratitude towards the giving from nature. Furthermore, Fei expressed her concern towards human’s lack of irresponsibility towards the environment where it creates a series of damage to human health. 

Pinak pointed out humans are starting to change as she provides a link to a survey by the Southern Cross University conducted in the United States and Australia. This stated 93% of people had a general concern for environmental issues and 77% want to learn how to live sustainably. She claims this awareness allows for actions to be taken to help reduce environmental problems and humanity must be in harmony with the environment.  Jan added environmental issues are not only restricted locally but rather affect the world globally.

Question 3.

Among the many ideas proposed by my group members, arranged marriage was a topic that people were most engaged in. 

Pinak claims from an emic perspective, arrange marriage considers each families’ history in terms of wealth, religion, culture, and more before a marriage between two individuals from both families can be finalized. Due to the lack of courtship or wooing before marriage, it has been criticized for leading to cold, unloving, dysfunctional relationships. Pinak continues by stating many also believe that arranged marriage leads to stability with lower divorce rates and allows for a chance for everyone to find a partner in life through familial intervention.

Pinak also conveys from the etic perspective, the concept of arranged marriage is strange as dating is a precursor before marriage and arranged marriage is not commonplace. Dating is founded upon courtship and emphasizes both physical and mental attraction between two individuals through social activities.

Fei shared her understanding of this discussion as she was raised in an Asian country. Fei commented that many Asian civilizations attach extremely great importance to lineage inheritance, so marriage and giving birth were more like a task that must be achieved. Fei continues by stating that in modern times, the size of the population is less important and marriage is the pure result of the love between two individuals; where the concept of arranged marriage becomes awkward and strange. Also, Fei commented that arranged marriage had a religious purpose as well. Such as posthumous marriage, or sacrificial marriage. Where in some areas, girls are forced to marry animals or caves, mountains, or lakes to please the gods or want to be blessed.

In response to this, Heejun added that arranged marriage was commonly found in western culture as well. He claims members of the ruling class marrying off daughters to forge alliances, acquiring lands, creating a legitimate heir was pretty common. He continues even in the lower class, Marriage and giving birth was a task that had to be achieved where labor relied heavily on manpower. Furthermore, Heejun posed a question for group discussion.  

1) In your article, you argued, “many also believe that arranged marriage leads to stability with lower divorce rates”.  Should a country with a low fertility rate promote Arranged Marriage in an attempt to overcome it?

For this question, our group had different opinions. Fei disliked this belief and commented individuals should not be viewed as a means to increase fertility rate, especially women. Pinak commented it could be a viable option to overcome the low fertility rate in certain countries assuming that each arranged marriage leads to the two individuals having kids.  However, Pinak argued it would create a null scenario with no impact on the fertility rate by giving an example of Japan. Pinak argued even after marriage Japanese decide not to have a child because they prioritize economic security and suffer from long hours of work with very little time for themselves or anyone else.

On this, Heejun commented that the right approach is to build a society where a couple can raise a child without any economical burden.

Source: 

(1) Ellsmoor, J. (2020). 77% Of People Want To Learn How To Live More Sustainably. Retrieved 11 July 2020, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesellsmoor/2019/07/23/77-of-people-want-to-learn-how-to-live-more-sustainably/#3f54134f2b01

(2) Semuels, A. (2017). The Mystery of Why Japanese People Are Having So Few Babies. Retrieved 11 July 2020, from https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2017/07/japan-mystery-low-birth-rate/534291/