- Identify at least two separate examples of native non-Western cultures that have been impacted by globalization.
Two separate examples of native non Western cultures that have been impacted by western globalization are the India‘s women participation in politics, which has liberated them through the impact of globalization in their environment; another is the Japanese Indians whose food culture was altered by this process also (Hoxie, 1996).
- Describe in detail what the circumstances were within each of these cultures both prior to the transformative event and after it.
Prior to the 1990s women in India were deprived of education and were subservient to men in the society. They could not have owned property and were never given the same benefits enjoyed by males. The same tradition was practiced when raising girl children alongside boys. The culture was that boys/men had more authority and women/ girls were docile with no intelligence except for making babies and taking care for their men as home makers. It was discovered than Indian women were being traded to Western countries as prostitutes. However, when Westerner women advocates entered the society women were taught to respect themselves and these feminists’ movements across the globe forged policies changing the standard of women in India (Bader, 2001).
During this era many women who ventured out to find jobs outside of their tradition were severely sexually molested by males in the workplace. With the impact of globalization laws were passed protecting women in the society. The first such law was ‘The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act.’ Many activists blamed this rise in female sexual harassment and desire to work outside of the home as a direct impact of Western globalization and change influences (Jayapalan, 2001).
After this impact of Westernization Indian women had opportunities to work and hold high offices in public institutions. They were respected to the extent of Indira Gandhi rising to the position of Prime Minister of Indian due to the changes in the image of women in the society. Elaborations to the initials laws saw the evolution of Employers codes of conduct in relation to women employees in their organizations (Jayapalan (2001).
Fast food has impacted Japanese food culture. Prior to the impact of globalization the traditional meal was Obentos. Precisely, this was not just about food, but a ritual as well. Obentos is the actual process through which food is prepared. Mother held this sacred role of cooking the Obentos especially for their school aged children. The symbolism of the box lunch gave an impacting message about Japanese food culture. This meal further represented mothers’ were responsibility of feeding the young in their family while the child is being education and the men work outside the home supporting financially (Peter, 1990).
In 1971 the first McDonald was opened in Japan. Ever since Japanese children have gravitated towards a fast food culture proposed by this company. It was not overnight, but gradually the traditional taste for Obentos was slowly replaced by McDonald’s fries and chicken. Children no longer care about mother’s cooking and preparing that box meal because that has been deemed old fashion or too traditional. Other Japanese traditional like tempura, sushi, and teriyaki while are still being cooked in the average family food fast foods have impacted the food culture tremendously especially among the younger generation. Basically the diet consisted of fresh lean seafood; rice with boiled or pickled vegetables (Peter, 1990).
B. Analyze one of the examples from part A. Be sure to discuss the following questions:
1. What caused the influence?
This influence is directly related to how the world is developing. McDonald is a fast food chain that is impacting the world and wherever a market shows prospects the entrepreneur will exploit resources found therein. Japan is wealthy nation that has very strong prospects of a viable market. The influence is a taste factor. Precisely, the psychology of a burger, bread, American fries and McDonald is associated with sophistication. Once children get a taste of McDonald’s food the craving is established and home food just does not taste the same anymore. This is the trend and influence of McDonalds all over the world (Thomas & Pederson, 2004).
- Was it direct or indirect, intentional or unintentional, and positive or negative?
Yes! This could be considered direct and intentional and positive. McDonald's Corporation is the largest hamburger fast food chain restaurants in the world. This corporation provides food for 68 million people daily in 119 countries. Its headquarters can be found in the United States. It was founded in 1940. Currently, even though McDonald's sells hamburgers primarily some welcomed tantalizing incorporations are chicken, cheeseburgers, French fries, soft drinks, breakfast items, deserts and milkshakes. With demands of the market further additions have been fish, wraps, fruits and smoothies. These food adaptations are irresistible to foreign nations and Japan is no exception (Thomas & Pederson, 2004).
- What was the native, non-Western society’s response to the influence?
The society accepted McDonald as a welcomed food supplement agency. Mothers were concerned that it was destroying the traditional bound built between them and their children because immediately there was a McDonald’s taste preference emerging in the society. However there were no legislations to push McDonalds out of Japan. Instead the Japanese became involved in the franchise culture adapted by the corporation, which increased Japan’s wealth (Thomas & Pederson, 2004).
References
Bader, C. (2001). Women in Ancient India. Trubner's Oriental Series, Routledge.
Peter N. (1990). The Myth of Japanese Uniqueness. London: Routledge.
Jayapalan (2001). Indian society and social institutions. Atlantic Publishers
Thomas, D., & Pederson, J. (2004). "McDonald's". International directory of company histories
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