A popular video explores the cultural contrasts between Italy and America, highlighting the perception of family and social welfare.
The video challenges the notion of these concepts as privileges, advocating for them to be seen as the norm rather than exceptions.
Trust me; you’ll want to hear this.
Italian Culture: Embracing Community and Support
@jashiproject begins by expressing their confusion over the accusations of privilege associated with having a family and a network of support. They assert that in Italian culture, the concept of societal welfare is deeply ingrained.
Highlighting the interconnectedness within Italian society, emphasizing the presence of a robust support system that assists individuals on various levels.
This includes psychological support and the tradition of caring for elders within the family unit. Jashi stated,
“In Italy, we take care of the elders all the way to the end. We take care of them in our houses. You guys push them into a retirement home. That is the saddest thing in the world.”
It collected diverse perspectives from various races across the globe. A viewer on TikTok contributed to the conversation, expressing, “Yes, this is a very sad idea here in America! I promised my parents I’d never give in to and I’d never put them in a home when they age!”
A viewer on TikTok contributed to the conversation, expressing, “Mic drop – individualism can quickly lead to isolation.”
The Influence of Individualism in American Society
The TikTok creator questions why American society seems to prioritize individualism and separation. They suggest that the high rates of depression and solitude in America may be linked to a lack of social welfare and community support.
The influencer contends,
“Let me explain to you how Italian culture works, which is one thing that I don’t know why in America they don’t teach you, and this is probably why you have one of the highest depression rates and solitude rates in the world.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the prevalence of major depressive disorder in the United States is around 5.9%, which is higher than the global average of 4.4%. When examining potential factors contributing to these rates, the lack of social welfare and community support systems can be considered.
Compared to several European countries, the United States has a relatively limited social welfare system.
In terms of healthcare, for instance, the U.S. is known for having a predominantly private healthcare system, which can lead to challenges in accessing affordable mental health services.
The cost of treatment and insurance coverage limitations can be significant barriers for individuals seeking mental healthcare, potentially contributing to untreated or undiagnosed mental health issues.
Jashi further argues,
“Your society taught you about individualism, probably because your society wants to control you. Because there is one way to control people: to keep them isolated.”
The potential link between individualism, lack of social welfare, and high rates of depression and solitude in American society invites further exploration and critical thinking about the impact of societal values and support systems on mental health outcomes.
Examining Societal Incentives and Values
The issue of societal incentives and values within American culture may promote separation rather than community cohesion.
He highlights,
“Before criticizing on the foundation of Italian society, which is societal caution, look at your own, where you incentivize single families. There are literally tax incentives for single parents. As if society wants you to separate.”
While the intention behind such tax incentives is to provide support to families, he suggests that these measures may unintentionally encourage separation within families. The argument here is that if financial benefits are tied to a single-parent status, it could create a situation where staying single or separating from a partner could be financially advantageous.
In the United States, there are tax benefits and credits specifically targeted toward single parents. For example, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) are two significant tax benefits that provide financial support to low- and moderate-income families, including single parents.
These credits aim to alleviate the financial burden on single parents and assist them in meeting the needs of their children.
The Power of Collective Prosperity
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He talks about collective prosperity and how it exists in cultures where people support and uplift each other. According to them, these cultures have thrived for a long time because they value communal support and shared success.
The content creator notes,
“Individualism and personal growth and everything is a beautiful thing, but also knowing that you can rely on a substrate of people that create discussion or an entire community is a beautiful thing. Combine the two, and you can create something magnificent.”
Collaborative efforts and collective intelligence lead to increased innovation and creativity, allowing diverse perspectives and knowledge to generate new ideas and solutions (Woolley et al., 2010).
In times of adversity, communities that unite and provide mutual support exhibit enhanced resilience and are better equipped to recover from challenges (Norris et al., 2008).
As the TikToker uttered with confidence,
“This is not privilege, this is common sense, guys.”
Encouraging readers to broaden their horizons, study history, and examine societies where collective prosperity is valued.
@jashiproject Replying to @aspy130 having a family as well as what we call in italy social welfare should be normality unfortunately, in a society that incentivizes individualism and separation it is considered privilege #family #italianculture #americanculture ♬ original sound – Jashi
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Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.
