The Wasteland: China, And Restlessness In China

Essay Exam #3
MBA 631

Ali Smith
Friday, August 12, 2016

EXAM 3 MBA 631 (200 points) PART I: INTERNATIONAL/ECOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT (40 POINTS)
1. Regarding the following video: Sunday, November 16th, 2010’s 60 Minutes 15 minute segment “The Wasteland” [go to www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id-4586903n or www.ban.org & click on the watch video]. Propose solutions to this global ecological problem. (20 points)
60 Minutes “The Wasteland” brings to light the harsh realities of where America’s electronic recycling is ending up. Many companies are illegally shipping computers, phones, televisions and other electronics known as e-waste overseas to poor parts
Watch PBS’s “FRONTLINE: Young & Restless in China” in 11 segments @ www.pbs.org/wbgh/pages/frontline/view ]. Report the things that are similar to the United States & those that are different, also comment on things that surprise you & that you find interesting. (20 points)
“Young & Restless in China” shows many parallels between the types of social issues that are faced by the younger generations in both China and the United States. Both countries struggle with finding a balance between trying to advance your career and maintaining healthy relationships with those around you. The public lawyer’s story shows the consequences one faces when work and family life become unbalanced, leaving her heartbroken when her fiancé leaves her because of her commitment to her career. With rising divorce rates in the United States, the cafe owner shows how similar the struggle of having different family dynamics can be and the strain divorce can cause on a family. The workforce in both countries seems to face similar inequality issues like stigmas surrounding women in the workplace. While employment laws are more defined in the United States, the segment shows a woman being asked when she plans to have children in an interview. The United States and China have many cross-cultural social issues, albeit to varying
China has a much larger generational gap than we have in the United States, partly due to the rapid westernization the country is going through. China is also facing a major transition among the younger generations who are moving away from the traditional values and way of life. In the United States, the different generations seem to deal more with social related issues rather than differing values and societal norms. The pursuit of money among the Chinese is also a much larger driving force than we see in the United States. Americans tend to pursue a high quality of life and the ability to provide for their family. The segment provided an interesting analogy comparing the Chinese hunger for money to a poor child who just walked into a candy store; they could never get enough and would never be satisfied.

I think it’s interesting that such a rapidly growing and technological advancing country such as China still has societal norms that include arranged marriages. It seems odd to be so advanced in one area and so antiquated in another. Another topic I found interesting what the $95,000 fine for violating the one child policy and how it affects families who are having more than one child. Despite the younger generation moving away from tradition and the disconnect between generations, there still seems to be a strong duty for