Masculinity Vs. Femininity (MAS)

Another Hofstede dimension is Masculinity versus Femininity (MAS). This dimension measures the society’s tendency toward either toughness or tenderness. A more masculine society (higher MAS score) represents the people’s preference for a more competitive environment where “achievement, heroism, assertiveness, and material rewards for success” are more valued. On the other hand, a more feminine society (lower MAS score) tends to prefer a more cooperative environment, valuing “cooperation, modesty, caring for the weak, and quality of life”17. Japan has the highest MAS score of 95 whereas Sweden has the lowest score of 5. In countries like Japan where the MAS score is very high, there is very high competition between individuals and groups. Success is defined by one’s ability to win and become the best in his or her field, starting at a very young age. Particularly in Japan, motivation to excel comes from the chance to defeat others and emerge as the victor. The highly masculine Japanese society is reflected in their participation in PAA …show more content…
This dimension measures each society’s connection to its past and how it views the future. In societies with low LTO scores, traditions and norms are highly valued whereas societal challenges are scrutinized. On the other hand, in countries with high LTO scores, people are more pragmatic in their approach toward their future. They encourage efforts in modern advancements in society to help prepare for the inevitable future. China has the highest LTO score of 118 whereas Nigeria has the lowest score of 13. Because the LTO dimension is relatively new, not all countries were evaluated and given a score. Generally, East Asian countries scored the highest in this category, Western countries score on the lower side, and some of the Third World countries scoring the