When the world shifted to individualism, Southeast Asia remained family-driven as collectivism is rooted in mutual support between its people. Collectivism is often seen in day-to-day cooperation and community engagement, with a focus on social harmony and interdependence.
There is a common saying across the Chinese language, “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.” This implies that conforming to societal norms and maintaining social harmony are prioritized over individual expression and distinctiveness. Family gatherings and ancestor worship also highlight the importance of intergenerational ties and respect for one’s lineage.
In most Asian countries, the ancestors taught their children to obey and conform at an early age. It reflects on an institutional setting as well, such as wearing uniforms and reading textbooks out loud together.
Therefore, in Asian cultures, where strong emphasis is placed on collective well-being and interpersonal relationships, independence and self-reliance are often seen as selfish and isolating. Although the world perspective has shaped most Asians' views of their way of life, collectivism is still strongly believed and portrayed in most South Asian countries.
In the Philippines, for example, the concept of bayanihan, or communal unity, reflects the tradition of working together for a common cause, such as helping neighbors during times of need. The practice of gotong royong (mutual cooperation) is also practiced in Indonesia, where people come together to accomplish shared goals.
What binds the familial bond in Asian countries? Here are a few reasons that contributed to the culture:
Rice Farming
Having many paddy fields in numerous areas within the region, working together to maintain labor and production is essential. Paddy rice farming differed from other agriculture such as wheat, corn, or potatoes, as it demanded twice the labor per hectare compared to wheat farming. Not only do farmers have to maintain the constant flooding of paddy fields but also they have to manage water levels, distribute water evenly across fields, and carry out canal repairs.
According to Thomas Talhelm and the team, rice-farming is associated with cultural tightness. It shows that students from rice-growing communities tend to show less individualism as they favor more in-group practices.
Read also: How and why did rice become the main food in Southeast Asia?
Socio-economic-cultural threats
Southeast Asia is a diverse region with countless ethnic groups, each with its unique language, culture, customs, and religion. However, globalization is disrupting these indigenous cultures.
Societies that have faced significant challenges, such as diseases, natural disasters, harsh climates, overpopulation, resource shortages, and conflict, tend to be more culturally rigid. These existential threats can induce anxiety, leading to a desire for group conformity and strict adherence to social norms.
This explains how most Asian cultures tend to seek strong and authoritarian leaders. If one does not follow the rules, punishment will await as the person is considered not respecting the mutual agreement within the society. This collectivist idea is also driven by a fear of group disintegration and a need for unity and solidarity.
Confucianism Practice
Countries with more Confucian temples and a greater emphasis on widow chastity experienced fewer peasant rebellions, even during times of famine. This suggests that cultural factors can suppress disagreement between people, even in the face of hardship. Societies that value conformity may encourage parents to raise their children to be obedient, which in turn makes Confucian ideologies more appealing and leads to the selection of individuals who are naturally inclined towards conformity.
Confucianism has spread to other parts of Southeast Asia, such as Malaysia and Singapore, where it has adapted to local social and political conditions. Early Chinese immigrants introduced Confucian values, emphasizing harmony and social order, during the colonial period.
