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Abstract

Upon beginning this paper I wished to compare the dominant individualistic attitude in the United States with the still present kinship-oriented attitude of Botswana. However, upon further reflection what was most striking was not our differences, but the ways in which are becoming more and more similar as time passes. While our two countries may seem worlds apart, both the United States and Botswana are venturing toward a very similar and not wholly comforting future. While our paths have been entirely different in many respects, both the United States and Botswana are facing an age of decreasing community and increasing modernization intensified by globalization. While this may very well be the way of the future, undoubtedly bringing many positive changes with it, we have turned a blind-eye to what we, the human race, are giving up. The human race has rarely hesitated to look at other cultures and see problems and potential solutions- donating funds and time in order to “fix” perceived issues ultimately trying to make what is “other,” familiar or more “same.” Far too often we miss the beauty, and the ways in which the “other” has succeeded, where we have failed. Through the analysis of several topics including history, marriage & family, AIDS, women & girls, and a “moral crisis” this paper seeks to demonstrate how similar and different these two modes (individualistic and kinship-oriented) are and propose a need to begin working together, recognizing what we both bring to the table, in order to create a more positive future.

DOI

10.5642/lux.201303.05

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