Why Do Value Youth Over Age?

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It was stated that in our western society the element of youth is valued in the work force over age, due to their innovative ideas, a more in-depth knowledge of technology, and an energetic, flexible attitude towards their careers (Barak, 2014). While in eastern societies, age is more desirable, because the attributes of wisdom and experience are positively correlated with advanced age (Barak, 2014). In my experiences with people from both western and eastern cultures, I would have to agree with Michalle E. Mor Barak, and state that western cultures do value youth over age, while eastern cultures value age over youth. I believe that the home is a reflection of the workplace, which is a logical explanation for this paradox amongst the different …show more content…
These cultures with multiple generations living in the same house hold were collectivistic and Americanized families were individualistic. In collectivist cultures, companies much like families, value teamwork, continuity, and ensuring the happiness of the team. In contrast, families and companies in individualistic cultures value virtues such as competitiveness, adaptability, and self-motivation. “In general, in societies in which agreeing on social norms is important and jobs are interdependent, collectivism is preponderant, whereas in complex, stratified societies, where affluence, independence, and differences are emphasized, individualism is preponderant” (Basu-Zharku, …show more content…
In western cultures, which are individualistic, companies are searching for unique individuals that are hungry for growth and wealth. The largest demographic of people that fit this description are young people. Eastern cultures, which are collectivist, search for employees that value teamwork, while also having useful experience, and care about their co-workers well-being. This type of employee in the employer’s eyes will most likely be more advanced in age. It is true that eastern and western cultures have different ways of approaching similar tasks, including who they should hire to work at their

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