Social institutions are a lot different in various countries. This paper will evaluate the difference that is seen in America and India.
Social institutions and family trends differ from one country to another one. This paper will compare the social institutions and family trends that are experienced in the United States and those that are experienced in India. The first social institution that will be compared between these two countries is economy. The economy in America and India differ a great deal. India is not as economically developed when compared to America. It is still a developing nation.
Starting with the gross domestic product (GDP) of the two countries, the GDP of US is nearly $10000 billion while that of India is only $400 at nominal prices while it is $1500 when consideration is made to purchasing power parity (PPP). When PPP is considered, China is the second largest economy with $5000 billion in GDP. This can be attributed to the per capita incomes that individuals in America and those in India earn. The per capita incomes for US citizens are much higher when compared to that in India. Per person income in America in one year is over $30000 while that of Indians is approximately $400.
Buying of cars and other luxurious items is higher in America than in India. The car ownership is very high in America when compared to car ownership in India. The average car price in America is approximately $20,000 while the average price of a car in India is approximately Rs 900000. This is the reason as to why car ownership is disparate in the two countries. An American can buy a small TV which costs $150 with less than two days pay. The same American can buy Coca-Cola, 2 litres with $1, which is what he/she earns by working only ten minutes! The same 2-litres Coca-Cola drink in India will cost Rs 42 an Indian will have to work for this for many hours. Bicycles sales in India is close to 3900000 it is less in America because cycling is done for dun during summer months.
The economic growth rates of America and that of India differ a great deal. Economic growth rate of America has been recorded to be going at between 6.0% to 6.5% for several years. This is high when compared to that of India which is a paltry 2.25% on average. As can be seen, there is a big economic difference between these two countries.
Remarriage
Remarriage is common in America than it is in India. Remarriage is taking place in America at very high rates and this remarried is cause by divorce. Divorce is taking place in America because of educational empowerment. Many American women are learned and have at least a college degree. Most divorces in America take place due to empowered couples who can separate at any given time and anyone can live on their own. This is a common issue that has made it a common trend in United States. Most remarriages in India are due to deaths of couples. A couple will remarry when their partners have died in India. With more women than before going to schools and are empowered economically, this trend is changing in India, albeit slowly. With the developments in educational systems and the enhancement in social growth, there is a lot to remarriages in India.
Remarrying the couple that one had divorced is allowed in India and not in America. There are many cases that this has been seen in India. This trend is not allowed in America. The law of remarriage has been structured not to allow marrying someone who had been divorced.
Government
Another social institution where the two countries can be comparing is that of the government. American democracy is composed of two strong political parties: Democrats and Republicans. This is not the case in India as there are no strong political parties. Political parties are formed in America according to the interests of the politicians. America is not divided basing on racism and language. There is no form of racism in America as it is in India. There are no caste systems in America like we have in India. In India, there is the caste system which is nothing but tribalism at its make.
In America, federal politics has a different connotation. Federal here means central government. In India, there is no effort that has been made to differentiate central government from that of the state. The voting patterns of the two countries are also different. Voting in America is undertaken in a systematic process while the voting process in India has the same topic in central and state governments. There is no democracy in India the way there is in America.
American citizens actively participate in politics. They ensure that those in power are put in check. In India, people fear what will happen if they ask questions to the government. Many murders have been seen to take place because of inquisitive advances that have been taken in asking the right questions. One example is the murder of Engineer Dube who wrote a letter to the Prime Minister of India and was later murdered. The engineer wanted to know why there was corruption in India under the watch of the prime minister.
At the start, I wish to acknowledge the fact that wedding ceremonies conducted across the world are sacred and, this paper does not at all, try to prove that one is superior to the other. The main aim of this paper is to identify the different, contrasting elements in the cultures that have been observed in India and United States.
Marriage
In the US, there is a single goal; fighting for the realization of your dream. They emphasize that everybody will get married in a manner he or she wishes. If one wishes to get married in a snorkeling way, well and good, you are free to do that. If you think that marrying in the sky is the best, then you will be supported either by family members or friends. Those who want to get married in a pool obviously with the sharks, and then they are allowed to do that. In summary, Americans are free to do whatever they wish provided that they achieve their dream wedding.
In the US people are free to choose your partner from any corner, it does not matter where you met, what matters is love. When two couples fall in love, they are free to decide when to get married. When one feels that he has met with the girl of her dream, they are free to stay in a relationship so that they can understand each other on a much deeper level so that they can know like and dislikes of the partner.
It is necessary to know your partner before making life commitment. In the entire process of knowing each other, it is only the two of you who matters because you are the one to enjoy the life you have chosen. There is no third party with an opinion because you as a single person you have a right to marry the person of your dream. The person you have always dreamt of being together.
On the hand, India is a country rich in history and culture. Weddings are conducted in a special way, and this is a sign of celebration which are often done on the royal weddings. Culturally, Indians practice arranged marriages. This does not mean that Indians are forced to marry a certain person. The family members propose for their son or daughter to be married by a certain person after an intense pre-screening of that proposed person. However, the final decision rest upon the groom or the bridegroom though in many cases the groom or the bridegroom is ready to take the offer.
Traditionally, the culture of Indians dictates many issues concerning marriage. Marriages are considered to be a function of bringing up people from different communities together. It is considered as a social event which goes beyond the celebration of the bride and groom. The celebration last for longer days because many people must attend. The Indian wedding is extremely powerful, and it must be treated with a high level of respect. This is the reason why the person is not allowed to look for his dream girl. It is the society who chooses the person you will marry.
Education
According to Berry (53), United States education system is more advanced as compared to countries across the world. The system of education has been divided into three levels and these levels comprised of elementary school, the middle and the high school. Children are normally enrolld basing on the age group and it is further divided into grades. This will facilitate the child to move in a logical manner to the top grade, that is, the 12th grade. This final grade is equivalent to high school in other countries.
When the child is through with the high school, he will be admitted for further studies in the college level. At his level, the students are prepared to tackle issues such analyzing of concept, developing practical understanding, reading and documentation. Besides, students are given freedom to choose subjects they are interested in. Students are always encouraged to work extra hard and develop interest in the subjects they have chosen. Other school activities are given equal importance. Some of these activities include sports, foreign languages.
The education system in India has always been inspired by the historical developments. There are many strides that have been made in this sector. The education system in India is currently composed of pre-primary, primary, secondary, and senior secondary. This is then followed by higher education. One issue that is lacking with the education system in India is that it prepares students to memorize instead of preparing them to think. In India, the teacher to student ratio is 1 teach to 50 students. This ratio is changing considerably with the increase in the number of teachers.
Works Cited
Berry, Sarah. "Social institutions and access to resources." Cambridge Journals 59.1 (2009): 34-45.
Jayapalan, Nor. Indian society and social institutions. New York: Atlantic Publishers & Distri, 2009.
Knight, Jack. Explaining Social Institu. Michigan: University of Michigan, 2008.
McDonald, Peter. "Gender equity, social institutions and the future of fertility." Journal of Population Research 7.1 (2000): 1-16.
Opp, Dieter Karl and Michael Hechter. Social Institutions: The Emergence, Maintenance and Effects. London: Transaction Publishers, 2010.
