I think people are forgetting that china is a collectivist culture as opposed to our individualist culture, therefore what your family thinks has a very real and meaningful impact on your thoughts and behaviours. In china, people do things for the good of the group; in the West, people do things for themselves. In this example, they knew that the relationship was not acceptable to the larger group and would never be allowed, they would never be gradually accepted over time like they may have done in a western country. The family would have disowned the two had they proceeded, sometimes even murdered to save the family reputation. Seems strange to us living in the UK or america but their culture is completely different. Suicide and death is also looked at differently in China.
Okay, I agree with the majority of this statement, but there's one thing wrong: in the west, people do not do things only for themselves. A lot of people do but not everyone, and I'm also sure that people do things only for themselves in the east as well. I mean, knowing me, I would never give up my family for some guy/girl.
All of the people saying this is stupid are missing a crucial part of cultural education. Many cultures you are disowned and shamed if your marriage or love is not arranged or approved of. Cultural relationships alter your self-veiw and decision making. And many people living in westernized countries say this is stupid, but the only thing stupid is the harsh costoms that continue into our modern day. Suicide should never be the only out for someone, but sometimes they feel as though losing their love and culture would be worse. Things like this should never have to happen, but don't call the victims of suicide stupid because it does.
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