Week 6 2/8/2021 Individualism vs. Collectivism

 

This is the dome in Round Valley in Eagar AZ

Home of the Round Valley ELKS!

It is the first dome in the United States for high school sporting events.

Sports in Round Valley are one on the many things that bring this community together.  I have watched high school kids play soccer, football, volleyball, and basketball.  I have coached track in this indoor facility, I have refed volleyball games in this dome.  I have watched my children play sports, play in the band, and many other activities in this dome.  I have even heard and seen a prophet of the Lord, President Dallin H. Oaks, speak in this dome.  Latter Day Saints came from all over the mountain to come hear him speak.  

When I am away from home and I see someone wearing a Round Valley Elks hoodie, I instantly feel a connection to them. I start up a conversation with them. If they need anything, I will help them.  I may even say "Go Elks!" as we part!

As our community got ready to host President Oaks, there was a lot to be done.  People were so ready and willing to help get everything done for this event.  Strangers were working along side to accomplish the many tasks.   As people pored into the dome to hear President Oaks speak, I felt a love for these people who travelled to come hear a prophet speak to all of us.  

These are both examples of collectivism.  When we feel part of a group, we connect with others and can accomplish more things.  

Collectivism can also be negative.  Brother Ivers shared a story about some baseball players who got into some trouble.  In their community, the entire baseball team was in it together, they went down together.  In fact, the coach, principal, and community felt like they had all been a part of the problem, and therefore felt responsible for the actions and felt the need to apologize to everyone. 

Sometimes school teachers, parents, or coaches punish the entire group for one persons behaviors.  This can seem unfair.  I think they are trying to teach the kids that they are a team, family, or group, and each actions affect everyone.  

Living in the country, on a small ranch, there are many things that need to get done. My husbands family splits thing up by gender, girls work indoors, boys work outdoors.  On our farm, we all work together to get things done.  Boys help cook and clean and girls clean out stalls.  If someone has another commitment, we all pull together to accomplish what needs to be done.  

In contrast to collectivism, we have individualism.  I like to be treated as an individual, how about you?  I like getting to make my own choices, I like consequences for the things I do, and not others.  

I enjoyed reading the table that showed different values of people who are individualistic vs. collectivistic.  People may have an individualistic view on some things while having a collectivistic view on other things.  One hot topic in the world today is MASKS.  Some places masks are recommended some places require masks, some places have serious consequences for not wearing a mask.  This topic is easy to see if you are more individualistic or have a more collectivistic view.  A person who feels an obligation to others would want to wear a mask to keep others healthy, while a person who feels strongly about individual rights would be less likely to wear a mask, feeling like it should be up to them weather they wear a mask or not.  

Within the classroom, there will be different views on different topics.  It is important to remember that there are many different ways to view things.  I will try to create a classroom environment that all students will feel at home in, like part of a family.  We can have different views and still be apart of a group.