Cultural differences

Canada and Azerbaijan

The best way to understand cultural differences between Azerbaijan and Canada is to dig into two cultural worldviews that exist today: individualism and collectivism. In collectivism, interests, and values of a group (usually family, tribe) prevail over interests and values of an individual. In individualism, autonomy, independence, and interests of individual matter more than the ones of the group.

Azerbaijan is a country where collectivism still dominates. And in a lot of western countries Individualism dominates. Doesn’t mean there are no individuals who adapt both worldviews and balance them. But it is obvious that our cultural worldviews are completely opposite.

Both cultures have their pros and cons. And putting two together is what people struggle with the most during immigration and adaptation process. People who live in countries like Azerbaijan where collectivism always dominated try to adapt individualism culture and struggle too. Our understanding of individualist culture is very basic and mostly formed by some things we hear or see in Hollywood movies.

Two opposite worldviews form us to have different personalities, mindfulness, habits, beliefs, lifestyle, parenting style etc.

In collectivist culture loyalty and responsibility to the group matters a lot. In individualistic cultures not so much. In collectivist cultures personal expression and identity is suppressed by the ones of the group. There is a tendency towards group thinking and decision making. In individualistic cultures self sufficiency and independent thinking matters the most.

In individualistic cultures people tend to have mental health issues related to social isolation, loneliness, lack of emotional support and difficulties in building deep connections.

In collectivist culture people struggle with mental health issues trying to adapt individualistic thinking, forming their own identity, building self awareness, independence and building harmonic relationships like the ones they see in Hollywood movies.

Well, I tell you one thing I learned over years both cultures are great for specific reasons. Balancing between them both seems to be an ideal model. However, its not that easy to reach a balance. In today’s world its hard to survive without healthy amount of individualism and collectivism. Depending on your personality and your upbringing you might lean towards collectivism or individualism more. In further posts I would like to explain how relationships and identities are shaped differently within those cultures.

Cultural differences Azerbaijan Canada