(18, WA, USA) Anonymous - Collectivistic Mindset

Growing up in Japan, I was taught to follow a collectivist mindset of putting the needs of my society over my own. Collectivist societal values such as not sticking out, strong familial ties, and favoring the decision of the group over your own were key parts of the collectivist culture. Whenever I explain this mindset to a friend, they see it as controlling and something they would not want to go through. Although I love America, I feel the most at place in a society such as the ones in Japan. It puts me at ease when knowing the people around me are having their needs met by the actions I take to avoid conflict and I can be assured that others around me are also putting in extra effort to ensure the peace of the group over their own. In America, the number of selfless acts isn’t as common, and I am often left unappreciated, although my actions are not driven by gratitude. My mindset and thought process revolve around the welfare of others around me. I have come to appreciate Japanese culture for its uniqueness and am glad that I was exposed to the culture at an early age which allowed me to become who I am today. Even when living in a society where this way of thinking is not common, this mindset will continue to stay with me as a part of who I am and how I interact with others.