Throughout reading the second half of “the Leavers” by Lisa Ko, we watch Daniel/Deming grow and learn more about his mother. In watching him grow we start to see some of the differences between America and China, and some of the cultural differences between the two. To start out I would like to provide you with the best definition of cultural differences I could find which was, “the various beliefs, behaviors, languages, practices, and expressions considered unique to members of a specific ethnicity, race or national origin”(Chu). Some of the main cultural differences I found within the second half of the book were between Daniel and his adoptive parents, which strongly impacted his life and the outcomes of situations, so I have decided to research the cultural differences between China and the United States.
In one article I found they discuss several differences between the individual cultures, so I will describe them all as well as provide some of the chapters or scenes of which they will be represented. If you keep an eye out for these hidden concepts, it makes for a very interesting story, and helps to gain a deeper understanding as the book unfolds.
1. Social structure: As we saw earlier in the book, Polly begins to describe her previous life and the village she came from in China, and how she had to go to the city for a better job, which required her getting a visa to do so. Later on you will find out that through marriage she is awarded a permanent visa (urban hukou) because of who she marries. I think this is a great representation of one of the differences between China and America because in China they attempt to keep the social classes more separate, where as in America you don’t need a visa to work in the city, and more socialization occurs between the different “classes”. (Chapter 18)
2. Respect: In China respect is more abided and meaningful within their culture rather than in America where it seems “optional”. One of the ways this is showcased throughout the book is the difference in the way Daniel respects Polly and her wishes, versus Kay and her wishes. Daniel tends to hold closer to Chinas values when interacting with Polly and more of Americas beliefs when interacting with his adoptive parents. (Chapter 14 vs. 19)
3. Individualism vs. Collectivism: China is a country where ones individual success is not as praised and celebrated as it is in America. In China being successful is a means of providing for your family, and many other non monetary values, whereas America is very different, where most view success and money hand in hand. This impacts Daniel throughout the book as he grows up with his birthmother and their family all living in an apartment together and happy, then is adopted and everything changes. Daniels’ pre-existing mindset of collectivism and his adoptive parents’ individualism is where they do not see eye to eye, which results in several instances of conflict between him and his adoptive parents. (Chapter 1 vs. 14)
Chu, Andy, editor. “Cultural Differences.” Mightyrecruiter.com, Bold Limited,
2020, www.mightyrecruiter.com/recruiter-guide/hiring-glossary-a-to-z/
cultural-differences/. Accessed 17 Oct. 2020.
Graf, Rebecca. “13 Cultural Differences between America and China.”
Owlcation.com, Maven Coalition, Inc., 20 Mar. 2019, owlcation.com/
social-sciences/10-Major-Cultural-Differences—China-and-the-United-States.
Accessed 17 Oct. 2020.
https://www.mightyrecruiter.com/recruiter-guide/hiring-glossary-a-to-z/cultural-differences/
https://owlcation.com/social-sciences/10-Major-Cultural-Differences—China-and-the-United-States
I liked how you compared the differences between China and the US and on a smaller scale, how these differences related to Daniel and his birth mother vs. his adoptive parents. It definitely makes it clear as to why Daniel doesn’t always see eye-to-eye with his adoptive parents.