The Influence of Vietnamese Culture on Identity and Consumption

Nguyen 1 CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY Anna Nguyen Anthropology 001 22 October 2023

Nguyen 2 Component one My Vietnamese culture largely influences me, considering how it has shaped my values and worldview. Vietnamese culture has significantly influenced me, mainly through customs and traditions. In this instance, it plays a more crucial role in how I perceive myself, life, and my societal roles. To me and my family, culture is a reservoir of rich traditions, values, and customs passed down through generations, reflecting our collective history and identity. Our decisions and actions are largely ingrained in our culture, so it serves as a moral compass for me and my family. One critical significance of culture to me and my family is that it instills a sense of belonging and community, thus fostering togetherness (Mazumdar et al., 2000, 327). In this instance, it helps us embrace our interconnectedness through family ties and our respect for elders. Our culture is also significant in challenging times, considering how it provides a sense of continuity and support. As such, it nurtures collective resilience ingrained in our psyche. While my culture empowers me by providing a strong support system and a rich heritage to draw strength, it can also present challenges. Adherence to certain cultural norms can limit individual expression and divergent thinking, constraining personal choices and ambitions. Additionally, the emphasis on hierarchical relationships can sometimes hinder open communication and the expression of dissenting opinions. For instance, my culture entails a celebration of specific festivals, maintaining a strong work ethic, and upholding filial piety. Our culture insists on facilitating collectivism and communal harmony in our everyday interactions. In this instance, we largely focus on participating in community events and sharing meals. We primarily focus on advancing education that would eventually shape our societal behavior. My culture also emphasizes reciprocity and mutual assistance in striving for common goals (Van Tran, 2015, 1231). In this instance, my culture underscores the importance of

Nguyen 3 collective success over individual prowess. Such norms guide our interactions, emphasizing the relevance of maintaining harmonious relationships in the community. My culture also emphasizes the need to preserve our reputation and avoid actions that would lead to the loss of dignity and potentially cause harassment. In this instance, it finds family honor essential in advancing our social experiences. Our mental maps are primarily ingrained in our ancestors' beliefs and their interconnectedness in the spiritual world. Through ancestor worship, we have a heightened understanding of our familial obligations (Nguyen & Williams, 1989, 511). My culture has, therefore, been crucial in my social experience, considering how it facilitates a sense of community and understanding. Component Two My culture has played a more crucial role in my consumption patterns as influenced by my community's prevalent norms, values, and aspirations. The cultural, societal, and familial influences significantly impacted the items I would need and want. Familial traditions and values, for instance, have instilled in me a sense of honor and duty. Therefore, my focus on the family has ensured my desire to acquire items that suit family sustenance, such as meaningful gifts, cultural artifacts, and traditional kitchenware. In this instance, I find these items instrumental in advancing our cultural heritage and facilitating familial cohesion. Vietnamese culture largely emphasizes maintaining a strong social status and projection of success. In this instance, social pressures and peer influence have shaped my consumption. In this instance, I have acquired items such as branded clothing to enhance my social standing and reveal affluence. The approach, therefore, reveals the culture of status-seeking and materialism. Our consumerist Vietnamese culture has also been influenced by advertising in the media. Exposure to advertising campaigns promoting specific products as markers of social status and

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Nguyen 4 success has led to internalizing specific brand preferences. I have primarily acquired MacBook Air since it is an internationally recognized brand. The same could be revealed in my branded sportswear. I own several pairs of Adidas and Nike sneakers, which I wear even when not going for an athletic occasion. I find this approach essential for self-expression and identification with the global youth culture. I have also focused on acquiring the latest technological gadgets, which can be revealed in the latest acquisition of the iPhone 15. With such an approach, I value connectivity in the digital age, revealing how Vietnamese culture has primarily shaped my consumerism. Furthermore, my engagement with popular culture, such as the influence of Western trends and music genres like hip-hop, has also impacted my consumption patterns. The association of specific items with hip-hop culture, portraying them as symbols of authenticity and prestige, has influenced my choices and preferences, reflecting the interconnectedness between consumerism and cultural identities beyond my Vietnamese heritage. My acquisition of several necklaces, gold watches, and rings reveals my appeal to consumerism. I believe having these items would enhance how I am viewed in society as a connection to hip-hop culture. Therefore, I recognize how my cultural background, societal influences, and global trends have shaped my desires and priorities. While acknowledging the significance of certain items in fulfilling practical needs and aspirations, I am mindful of the influence of consumerist culture and the need to evaluate the motives behind my consumption choices critically. My awareness allows me to navigate the dynamics of consumerism while preserving a sense of cultural identity and personal values.

Nguyen 5 Bibliography Mazumdar, S., Mazumdar, S., Docuyanan, F., & Mclaughlin, C. (2000). Creating a sense of place: The vietnamese-Americans and little Saigon. Journal of Environmental Psychology , 20 (4), 319-333. doi:10.1006/jevp.2000.0170 Nguyen, N. A., & Williams, H. L. (1989). Transition from east to west: Vietnamese adolescents and their parents. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry , 28 (4), 505-515. doi:10.1097/00004583-198907000-00007 Van Tran, K. (2015). The value of community cohesion among Vietnamese students in era of urbanisation and globalisation. Social Indicators Research , 126 (3), 1225-1242. doi:10.1007/s11205-015-0935-4

Nguyen 6 a) What are the strengths of your draft essay? I think one of my strengths in the rough draft is my grammar and punctuation. I think I really nailed down on my writing comprehension. I also think I did really well on understanding how a cultural anthropologist think in my essay. b) What are the areas of improvement of your draft essay? One thing I think I can improve on is my writing content. I feel like I could talk more about my cultures and its values. I think I can improve on the overall concept and talk a little more about Vietnamese heritage. 1. ____2__ Did I produce an error-free draft essay that hits all the main points in the prompt? (3) 2. ___2___ Did I grade my first draft essay using the self-evaluation rubric provided ( 2 ) 3. ___1___ Did I assess and write a two-paragraph, self-evaluation summary, reflecting on the strengths and areas of improvement of my first draft essay? (3) 4. _____1_ Did I revise and improve my first draft essay based on the self-assessment of my own work (2) 6/10

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