Cultural Values

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and I think this year it is important to pause and reflect. It is truly an honor for me to be the not so better half of an Asian American family.

What makes our family so special? I think the featured pic speaks volumes. It was taken nearly twenty years ago during our wedding pictures in Korea! We are wearing what is called a “Hanbok” which literally means Korean clothing. Our family has donned Hanbok numerous times over the years for a variety of family celebrations.

But beyond keeping the traditional clothing, foods and customs, it’s the Korean cultural values that I am so proud are a part of our family. A few years ago, I tried to articulate my deep admiration of these values in an essay submitted as part of an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month observance.

I thought it would be good to share it here this week as we kick off an important heritage month.  Some of the data in the essay may be a little dated, but I think the message is clear!

Asian Culture and Traditional Values: the Foundation of Legendary Success

“Katchi Kapshida,” a Korean phrase translated as “we go together” in English is often used by U.S. and Korean military leaders at the conclusion of remarks to signify the strong military alliance between the two nations.  More than just a clichéd phrase symbolizing a military partnership, “we go together” could just as easily describe the perseverance of Korean people.

Korea’s rise from the utter destruction of the Korean War to a highly developed nation is called by some, “the miracle on the Han River.”  Yet the Republic of Korea’s legendary economic and societal rebirth is not an isolated success story, but rather a prime example of the indomitable power of Asian culture and traditional values.

Within the past few decades several Asian nations have enjoyed unparalleled economic success.  The term “Asian Tiger” is used to describe Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan’s remarkable economic transformation from developing to industrialized nation over the past 30 years.   These four “Asian Tigers” account for nearly 4% of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Likewise, China and Japan have grown to become the second and third largest economies in the world by GDP respectively.   Although previously isolated from the West for centuries and relatively homogeneous demographically, many Asian nations reached past geographic and cultural boundaries to become a global standard for free market economies.

Despite periods of conflict and hardship that engulfed many parts of Asia during the early 20th century, most Asian nations not only recovered but thrived. Over the last few decades many countries along the Pacific Rim increased tremendously in average life expectancy, education, and income per capita resulting in Human Development Index scores that exceed many nations.

Of the approximately 6.5 billion residents of planet Earth, over half are of Asian descent.  There are more Chinese speakers than any other language in the world.  Throughout the last century Asian culture and influence spread to just about every corner on Earth.

How are Asian nations establishing this successful legacy?  Some argue it is due to business acumen, competitive spirit, or perhaps diligent work ethic.  Others contend that millennial old Confucian philosophies and values of stability, hard work, loyalty, and respect still play a central role in many Asian societies.

Regardless of the origins, it is this unique characteristic of a strong cultural identity and traditional values that have undoubtedly contributed to the many accomplishments.  In order to gain a full appreciation of the central role culture and traditional values play in everyday Asian life, one only needs to spend some time observing an Asian family.

It is my honor to call South Korea a second home.  I have lived in Korea four years but more importantly it is the birth place of my wife and the home of my extended family.   Over the years I’ve marveled and at times envied my extended families’ deep rooted culture and values.  My in-laws certainly embody hard work, loyalty, and respect.

They raised my wife and my two brother in laws with humble beginnings in the early 1970s to achieve exceptional academic and professional success today.  Their story is not the only “miracle on the Han” and it certainly wasn’t an accident.  My family and the Korean people benefit greatly because of timeless Asian values common throughout the Pacific Rim.

Asian culture and traditional values are the foundation upon which many Asian nations built legendary economic and societal successes.  I am very proud of my family’s Asian heritage and hope our children will continue to embrace the traditions and cultural values.

More importantly, I hope our country which prides itself as a melting pot, will continue to welcome and embrace Asian culture and values.

Next week I’ll shift gears back to investing with a look at some financial truths that can help build wealth.

The views, opinions and biases expressed in this blog are the authors and do not reflect those of the U.S. Army or the Department of Defense.

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