(an essay on cultural anthropology)
In the USA, as we moved from one state to another, we began noticing that the layout and house construction standards varied very little. No matter if the house was big or small, they were always divided into 3 sections: the living room, then a kitchen/dining area, and third the bedroom and bathroom areas -- master bedroom and bedrooms for kids. Dining and living rooms were usually brightly lit, and all bedrooms had doors separating them from each other. Every house had doors leading to the backyard, and a door to the garage that became the secondary main entryway for the whole family.
At times I'd think about and compare the houses designed and built in America to the ones in Viet Nam, and began to take note of several sharp contrasts between them. I am not referring to the differences in materials used, be they brick, wood or bamboo. Nor am I referring to their appearance or Feng Shui, but rather to the differences in the compartmentalization of the buildings themselves--in other words the differences in the floor plans of the houses.
I too noticed that houses in America are generally larger, and so too were the plots of land on which they are built. In Viet Nam, only about 15% of the houses sit on a plot of land large enough to be used to raise a small garden, one that is neat and beautiful as are the ones here. 85% of Vietnamese houses are built into a shape we call the 'Tube House'. Another difference between the two countries deals with the placement of houses. Americans don't want to live too close to highways or main roads, and they enjoy peaceful quiet places away from market areas. They are able to live away from market areas because almost every family has a car or some other means of personal transportation. Vietnamese on the other hand enjoy living in crowded places, near markets or temples. Because of a lack of individual transportation, almost all of us like to have our homes facing busy streets where it's easy to gain access to public transportation. Since we love to live next to main streets or roadways, we don't usually have sufficient ground space left for a front lawn or garden. Dimensions of houses in Viet Nam range from a width of four (4) meters (approx 13 feet) up to about five and a half (5.5) meters (between 17 and 18 feet), and in depth they range from twelve (12) to twenty five (25) meters (39 to 81 feet). They thus form a rectangle that is considerably deeper than it is wide, and the reason they're called 'Tube Houses'. Houses in Viet Nam are normally built wall to wall with neighbours' houses just as townhouses are in America. Traditionally, rooms are sized according to the length of the house, but any person stepping into a standard Vietnamese house will first enter the living room, followed by the dining room, then bed room #1 then bedroom #2. Once out of the main unit a visitor would then encounter a small courtyard that faces the kitchen, bathroom and toilet areas. Families in need of more space generally have only one solution, which is to build a small sleeping area inside an existing room above the floor -- referred to in the west as a loft. These lofts are quite small, and only provide enough room for a person to sit or crawl about, simply because there isn't enough headroom to stand up. Vietnamese bedrooms don't as a rule have doors, but if there is a door it won't be equipped with a lock. Typically a simple cloth hanging would be placed in the doorway to mark the entrance to sleeping areas.
The compartmentalization used in Vietnamese homes is a carryover from the huts our ancestors built long ago. Those early huts were square never round, but over the centuries the design was improved, additional rooms were added until they became what is now the tube house. It is a design that has become the model for many Oriental people, and it is found throughout much of Southeast Asia. Daily life was then just as now carried out in the three main sections of the house. Sometimes additional wings were sometimes added on the left and right sides of the tube house making it a 3-section house with 2 wings. In the countryside, bamboo fences have historically been nurtured around houses, and have always provided a strong natural boundary between properties. On the inside, house sections were originally marked by pillars, but over the last two or three hundred years walls were added and these now mark the sections. Space utilization was adroitly done with the center areas usually set aside for the ancestral altar, while the right side served as the sleeping area where beds of bamboo, wooden shelves, or hammocks were placed. Because of size limitations events like reunions or family meetings were held outdoors in the courtyards. Please note, these floor plan descriptions are meant to point out the basic floor plan of the 'Nhà Ta' (Nhà Ta is an affectionate term I use for the Vietnamese home as described here, and which I love so dearly), and how they are fundamentally different than the floor plans of American homes.
No one can deny that environmental changes/conditions influence the behavior of people. When societies change, so do the people in those societies. I recall a story told about the fruit from a mandarin tree that had grown in Hoai Nam, China, the fruit was very sweet. However, when that tree was transplanted to Hoai Bac it produced fruit that was very sour. It was the same tree but the change in its environment altered the quality of the fruit it produced. Another similar story relays how Confucius had cried out upon seeing how the beautiful pure white natural silk had been dyed green or yellow. The lesson being -- the more innocent and naĩve the man, the more he will be influenced by the environment in which he develops/grows up. I am neither a wise person nor scientist, and have only my own limited experience and observations to draw from. Based on my own observations I have concluded that the moral deterioration of modern society is in part a result of peoples' search for greater 'Individual Freedom' and how so many of us are more concerned with individual wants and desires than anything else. I am in favor of freedom, and strongly believe that people should be fully free and liberated from ancient rules and ethical/moral codes that are passé with little or no relevance today. Yet such outmoded rules remain a part of eastern culture, and have rendered much of the Orient stagnant and underdeveloped compared to the west. I don't mean to say that all ancient concepts are without relevancy in today's world, because that is simply not true. The value of many of them is timeless, and thriving in some that are passé are some tiny seeds of value. An empty bottle or box that's ready for the trash bag is still capable of filling a need. Just think of the times you have needed an old bottle, a plastic bag or used box for something, and how the lack of one caused you to regret throwing them all away. Whether consciously or unconsciously we have all been guilty of closing our eyes to the potential worth of old things, traditional values or long-held ways of doing things. 'Those things are not for me, I want to do my own thing', is a cry heard from so many today. The desire for personal freedom doesn't automatically mean that we have to compromise long-held, long treasured values, in fact we will very often find ourselves on the road to disaster if we compromise or ignore long treasured values/guidance. When riding a horse the rider needs a set of reins in hand to help guide and control it. Up to a point the rider is safe without reins, but only as long as the horse moves slowly. However, once the horse begins galloping at full speed its rider is in grave danger.
Unlimited individual freedom is not allowed to flourish in any army. Military discipline is strictly enforced, because rigid discipline makes an army strong. Once outside of the army camp though, individuality and the right to make your own decisions is allowed and encouraged. Families too need a measure of discipline, and a lack of it will weaken family structure. In American families the search for individuality is encouraged, and the design/layout of American homes aides the effort. American homes are provided with the most modern conveniences and labor/time saving devices. The resulting leisure time allows family members to engage in other activities, like the pursuit of hobbies, sports or interests that frequently don't include the spouse, siblings or other members of the extended family. It is usually the case for each family member to have his or her own bedroom, and this provides for, and even further nourishes the desire for privacy. This puts people, however unconsciously, on a private path for self-discovery, which is part of growing up. Yet when that path must not be taken without or with only limited parental supervision. Young people can, without guidance, very often mistakenly substitute his or her own perceptions of things, including even personal assessments on such important issues as what is right or wrong.
Here again, I am unable to provide a proper or scientific analysis of this issue because I am not a trained sociologist. However, I have, because of my work and contacts/conversations with friends and colleagues, observed the experiences of many dysfunctional families. The problems are many: spousal misdeeds, delinquent/spoiled children or problems with either their in-laws or parents, just to name a few. Based on my observations, I concluded that this all-consuming need for 'individual freedom' was frequently at the core of the problem. When a person lacks a real understanding of what they seek, they will run into problems. Individual freedom should be the goal of every person, but arriving at the goal requires time, patience and guidance. It may be that individual freedom is more easily attained in American society simply because it's a goal that's actively promoted here and abetted by the American style house. Individual freedom is a reachable goal, but proper guidance is the secret to success in attaining this or any goal. Without it how can anyone know which path to take?
Dining rooms are left unused in many houses, unused because family members fall into the bad habit of eating alone in their own rooms or in front of the TV. Thus begins the slow process of dividing the family. Separate bedrooms and private bathrooms offer family members more privacy, and within their private realms each can build his or her own world. These private spaces become sacred ground where others aren't allowed and wouldn't dare trespass on. Even the police dare not enter a house without a court ordered subpoena. Privacy laws allow each individual to enjoyed a level of freedom that is almost total, since freedom is considered so sacred and untouchable.
In observing children in America, we see them, upon reaching the age of 8 or 9, requesting a room of their own. By claiming, 'I love it so that I can concentrate on my studies' they justify what they want. Once in their new room, the child will require a change of furnishings to reflect their individual tastes, after which they'll adorn it with posters of movie or music stars to further that. Over time they'll also acquire electronic equipment -- TV's, stereos, VCR or DVD players, and all will be used to make their room a personal sanctuary. In the U.S. children have so much to entertain them, cartoons, nature subjects, books, comics and an almost unlimited access to music. Sadly though the music and movie tapes available to them also include materials that for minors are inappropriate -- even X rated. In asking for their own rooms, kids promise their parents many things, 'We won't disturb you, we'll keep the noise down, we'll behave or we'll study'. Parents also make demands on their kids, 'Keep the music turned down, leave the door open, study, and keep your room picked up'. The promises are kept, but only for a short time. Likewise the enforcement of parental demands is short lived. At first, they keep their doors open, and parents monitor what is going on, but later the door starts getting closed. They want their 'privacy' and parental attempts to monitor them cause confrontations. The appearance of the child's room will very likely change, as their willingness to voluntarily keep the room picked up and neat goes by the wayside. At this point, the parents have to tell the child to keep their room picked up. Later still, as parental monitoring lessens, a child may allow their room to become a real mess, with dirty clothing, shoes, and drink and food containers scattered about. When children are provided with everything they want and need, including the privacy that having their own rooms grants them they enjoy a great deal of individual freedom. Wonderful if and when properly monitored, but when parental supervision/guidance is lacking, children often get into trouble.
I've asked parents, who complained to me of problems with their children, 'Why didn't you stop this poor behaviour from the beginning'. The answer was always, 'How could we? They're shielded behind their rights and the more you scold them, the more they ignore you, and you can in no way whip them'. Some of my friends did use the corporal punishment methods commonly used in Viet Nam, but school officials got involved and their investigations led, in many cases, to problems with social service offices, the police and even in court appearances.
From the beginning of this article, you may have noticed me condemning the well-furnished American house as one of the chief culprits in the shattering of our dreams, and the destroyer of the morals and traditional values held by a great many Vietnamese who now lived in this country. Truly though the reason for my making this accusation is nostalgia for my own country. I miss the ỀTube houseỂ that I described earlier as having evolved from the huts used by our ancestors many many generations ago. If today you visit Vietnam you will find those three-sectioned houses in both the cities and the countryside. I miss everything about Viet Nam, and those houses represent my dream home. I place a huge value on them, their warmth and wonderful spirituality gives them a greater value than the American homes I have lived in.
Life in the Vietnamese 'tube house' is different. In them one doesn't find a rush for individuality. Family members live with the rhythm of nature's order, in a communal life comprised of three or more generations under the same roof. In Vietnamese society, it's said that the Almighty blesses those who live in homes with four generations living together and those blessings include: longevity, prosperity, good health and security. Successful families don't happen by chance, they are the result of planning and mutual cooperation, with each person working for and contributing to the whole. In any organization, the same holds true, hard work helps achieve goals and for the family this ultimately results in happiness for all.
In addition to having all family members working hard on behalf of the family, the multi-generational family dwelling allows elders the opportunity to monitor each person's behaviour, including compliance with the proper courtesies. This insures that all are conducting themselves in accordance with society's expectations as dictated by traditional moral rules. When this is so, the family's security and standing in society is assured. In Vietnamese/Asian society, families with three or more generations living together are often looked up to and so serve as examples for others to follow. Such families will generally be found living in homes with three sections, or better still, three sections with two wings. Opportunities for privacy in a home that houses a family of four or even five generations are usually very limited since everyone is living practically elbow to elbow. Yet somehow these families manage to comfortably share the available space. Family members generally seem happy, and knowing that they have the support of their encircled loved ones is very comforting. Just as bamboo plants or banana trees breed the next generation from their own roots, so to do families breed their next generation in the secure and happy environment of a home with several generations living inside. Under such conditions, each member of the family knows exactly his or her own place and position in the house, just as they understand how their contributions benefit the family. Even the children understand their obligations to love, respect/obey their parents and demonstrate that knowledge by politely addressing their parents. Parents must care for their children and teach them the proper ways of society in the hope that their offspring will, when the time comes, follow their good example and carry on their daily lives in accordance the teachings of Confucius. One such principle drawn from Confucius' teaching offers a suggestion as to what makes for a happy family, 'A stern and respectful father, and an understanding mother full of love.'
In tube houses the daily contact and interaction amongst family members creates an atmosphere in which fears and doubts don't and won't likely exist. Family members neither have nor care to have anything to hide from others in the household, and when no one has any thing to hide, not even the smallest wound on the foot of one of the grandchildren escapes the eye and care of their elders. Youngsters in such home environments will see on a daily basis the wrinkles on the faces of their parents and grandparents, wrinkles that serve as proof of the hardships their elders regularly endure and accept in order to raise and provide for them. In that knowledge children would therefore never think of doing anything that would hurt their parents' feelings. Children, parents and grandparents who are truly joined together will bring forth and maintain a good, solid successful family, of the type that serves as the foundation for a strong and prosperous nation. This noble end result, as derived from within a house of three sections, will bestow on the Vietnamese family a sense of unity and harmony instead of the discord and disunity.
In summation, our ancestors had in mind, when they designed the three-section house or tube house, the idea of not just giving their children the means to live together as a whole family unit, but also the understanding needed to live together as one unit with love and mutual respect -- the cornerstones of a successful family. Successful families assist each other and this brings prosperity and happiness to all. Those who live in compartmented houses may not have this understanding, but those who live in tube houses, without its compartmented sections, do. After all, they have lived as a whole family unit all their lives with every living generation sharing the same space. Living in separate, secluded and isolated sections can be disastrous for a family. Yes, its certainly true that family members in American homes enjoy a large measure of 'individual freedom', but the danger of that is the threat it poses to family unity, and any threat to the foundation of the family is likewise a threat to the foundation of society.
Isolating yourself can never provide you the hum and rhythm of life as is offered by living in a multi-generational family. In my opinion, isolated living is little better than merely existing, whereas having the extended family all living together is like a beautiful poem, each stanza of which complements the other. Living alone offers us the freedom to think or act however we wish, within the confines of the law, since there's no other person around whose differing wants/needs could serve to constrain you. Being alone requires us to be more mindful of the dangers that can result when we fail to uphold moral/ethical standards. Confucius once issued a caution to people, 'Man should be very prudent when alone'. He understood that people often allow immoral thinking to enter their thinking when they live alone, and once this happens there's a greater chance that improperly behaviour will follow. People, like wild horses, will when not properly trained and guided run wildly in any and all directions. Just as wild horses need to be properly reined so too do people. The reins that are the most suitable are those provided by the discipline, mutual support, sharing and caring found in the extended multi-generational family. The daily interactions, the song of multiple differing voices, the love, respect, tolerance and forgiveness noted in these families all blend together, and this blending creates a peaceful happy environment that helps human beings survive, thrive and restrain themselves from yielding to unhealthy temptations. 'The Dragon throne cannot compare to the doghouse' The doghouse in this case represents the home built for multi-generational use, while the dragon throne, though beautiful, majestic and made of gold, was designed to hold one person only -- the emperor.
Tube houses, as developed by our ancestors, enable us to utilize the structural layout itself to obtain the best results possible as regards our families. They provide the means for everyone to live under one roof where each person can be nourished, protected and guided. The criminal mind would have a difficult time flourishing in such an environment, because anyone bent on bad behavior would find no encouragement, but rather reproach, punishment or even banishment from the family.
American houses are built to serve the physical needs of their owners, and all the modern conveniences they provide lessen the burden of household tasks. They also provide for the privacy of each family member. By so doing each is able to investigate in private his or her own inner-self, and this in turn drives the desire for greater individual freedom. A marvelous concept, but only when properly used. Personal greed and the desire for total freedom of expression can and often has led to anarchy. Societies that do not impose reasonable limits on behaviour will eventually impose laws that protect and even endorse unreasonable behaviour. We are aware of the limits placed on parental rights regarding disciplining their children, and also of the difficulties schools are having with unruly students. It was unheard of in the past for schools to need police officer patrols in school hallways, now it is the norm in many places. Individuality, one of the most important features of a free society, is a marvelous quality when reasonably expressed. Artistic, musical and literary expressions are all examples of that. Individuals can express themselves in ways that benefit everyone, but on the other hand no one benefits from immature or unguided self-expression.
In comparing the two forms of houses the Vietnamese (Nhà Ta) with that of America (Nhà Mỹ ), I was in fact comparing the differences between the two cultures and ways of life. I didn't mean to say or imply that the tube house style found in Viet Nam is perfect, nor do I mean to condemn the American style house as the main culprit in the lowering of moral standards and breakdown of discipline in society. Each style of home has both good and bad qualities, as does each society. My purpose was to call to your attention the need to be aware of what is happening in homes today, and how problems with parent/child and other familial relationships won't improve by ignoring them. In fact, the reverse will occur. If we allow the communication gulf between children and parents to broaden, there will be disastrous consequences, consequences that will effect our schools, the quality of education and ultimately our economy and even society in general, some of which we are already experiencing now. The American expression, 'Forewarned is forearmed', is appropriate and fits well with what I am saying. We must be aware of what is going on, we must think ahead and prepare for the problems that may arise so we'll be able to minimize their effect. The teachings of Confucius are part of my life and my thinking, and I try to follow his guidance. He taught that only a man who properly raises his children and leads his family is capable of properly lead the nation. However, before anyone can guide his family, he must himself behave properly, and that demands self control, the willingness to continually and honestly conduct self-examinations, recognize personal shortcomings and make the necessary corrections. If you examine the real meanings of this lesson I am sure you will agree that Confucius was right. Of course, those teachings were from a different place and a different time, a time when the observations of family and societal rituals were widely observed and an integral part of life. Those days are gone though, but many of the thoughts he expressed still have those little seeds of truth thriving in them. Yes, the difficulties we face today in raising our families are very different, more complicated and in may cases more difficult. But I said difficult, not impossible. The steps to take include: recognizing the problems you're faced with, set goals, since you won't be able to solve all problems at once you must select those that most urgently need your attention, plan a course of action for meeting your goals and finally you must act with both courage and determination in accordance with the plan you established. These steps are applicable for individuals, for businesses and for governments -- so too for families. Preventing problems is easier than solving them, so act now: your family's welfare is in your hands.
Contributors
The English interpretation/editing of Nhà Ta -- Nhà Mỹ was completed by Mr. Anthony Pendleton. Mr. Pendleton served as the director for refugee services in the Golden Triangle area of Texas (Beaumont/Port Arthur/Orange) for over eleven years. He has authored magazine articles for domestic and foreign readers, and worked as a newspaper copy/caption editor and published poetry on a freelance basis for over 26 years.
Mrs. Kyniem Phan-Pendleton completed the final translations of Nhà Ta -- Nhà Mỹ from Vietnamese into English, and also assisted with its final interpretation, thus insuring its timely and accurate completion.
Mr. Tieu Sinh Ky completed the first translation of Nhà Ta-Nhà Mỹ, and his contributions are appreciated.
No comments:
Post a Comment