Resolve or Conform?

New Year Resolution vs. Declaration of Conformity

These last few days I’ve been thinking of my New Year Resolutions.  Every year I sit and actively consider what I need to do for personal improvement. My resolutions have been so typical; loose 20 pounds, curtail my vices; make new friends whilst staying in touch with old; and keep to a budget. Very typical, and they all have to do with me. So this year I have a problem – I can’t bring myself to make any resolutions this year.

Oh please, if you’re thinking that I’m egocentric you are far from right, I have room for improvement. I just can’t bring myself to any personal decrees. I think I’m bitten from the African Declaration of Conformity bug. Do not worry, I will not fall physically ill nor will I defect from my nationality, but this topic of New Year’s Resolutions bring up an interesting point of cross-cultural human behaviors.

For clarification it must be noted that all humans encompass universal behaviors regardless of where we were raised – all people in all groups are the same – just as we all value food when we are hungry. Values are only one aspect that defines a culture, and thus the behavior within it. Going back to the topic of food, a culture determines who will eat what, when and how based on what that individual culture values.In contrast to this cultural norm, some can hold personal behaviors in which an individual values something differently from the group.  An example is perhaps an individual who cannot eat in front of other people or a vegetarian in Omaha. So behaviors are developed from values universally, culturally, and individually.

Our American culture is based on individualism. Individualism concentrates primarily with the self and the needs of the individual. That self sufficiency guarantees the wellness of the group. Therefore, independence is highly valued and is an ingredient that makes strong leadership within the group. Thus, making New Year resolutions a tool in our culture to make us better individuals.

No one that I have spoken to here has ever heard of this personal oath that we make on New Year. Here they find it a bit humorous ,  for example when I told a friends that last year  one of my resolutions was to diet  she asked if my children lost weight and if my co-workers minded if I went to exercise. Wait a minute I was talking about MY decisions for ME. Here in Mozambiquethings are done in a collectivist mentality, individuals function within a group mentality, like the family or work group.  The success of the group ensures the well being of the individual.  The interdependence is stressed and thus a stronger unit is formed, traditional values are maintained and there is consistency.

Tradition and consistency; these elements are fading in the United States - we have traded them in to be vigorous go-getters with cardiac problems. Americans are not “obedient” individuals, thus high divorce and drug abuse rates. Submissive is a synonym to lethargic, conventionality is coupled with apathy.

On the other hand, here obedience has led to high HIV rates among women, submission to the rainfall causes hunger, and corruption has become the conventional way to succeed.

Is there a balance? Can I make this my resolution? Can this rebellious idea of meshing two cultures together work? Will there be a positive change by blending individuals into groups on one side and having individuals succeed for the benefit of the group on the other side? You tell me.

When this is done I will give up coffee.

Blessings for a New Year.