Cultural values are fundamental shared beliefs about how things should be or how one should behave.
- Thomas & Inkson, 2009, p. 31
Hofstede's Cultural Value DimensionsBased on Hofstede’s five cultural value dimensions, here is how Pakistan would rank:
1. Identity - Collectivistic Pakistan is a very collectivistic society. Their main concerns are almost always considering the effects of their actions on the group(s) they belong to (CIA World Factbook, 2005). Also, according to Hofstede (2016), “Loyalty in a collectivist culture is paramount, and over-rides most other societal rules and regulations.” This is especially so in the villages with the kinship groups that have such a high importance in their lives (Constable, 2011). 2. Hierarchy/Power Distance - Centralized Large Power Power is something that few in Pakistan have. It is primarily associated with the elite class of people. The lower classes often feel powerless due to the corruption of the system (Constable, 2011). While the country may have the appearance of a democracy in some ways, the majority of the people are not able to experience many of the freedoms that we in Canada experience (Lieven, 2011). 3. Gender - Masculine In Pakistan there is a strong masculine emphasis in the culture, primarily due to the heavy Muslim influence. The patriarchal nature of the family structure and biradari, as well as the strong hierarchies that exist in the society confirm this (Commisceo Global, 2016; CIA World Factbook, 2005). Also, the attitude towards women is very restrictive, insisting that they be subordinate to men (CIA World Factbook, 1994). “To ensure that they do not dishonor their families, society limits women's mobility, places restrictions on their behavior and activities, and permits them only limited contact with the opposite sex,” (CIA World Factbook, 1994). 4. Truth or Uncertainty Avoidance - Strong Pakistan has a high preference for avoiding uncertainty. They “maintain rigid codes of belief and behaviour and are intolerant of unorthodox behaviour and ideas” (The Hofstede Centre, 2016). Hofstede goes on to explain that rules are very important to Pakistanis (even if they don’t work), and that they value hard work and security (The Hofstede Centre, 2016). 5. Virtue - Long Term Orientation Due to the modernization that Pakistan has experienced in recent years, there is a tendency for Pakistan to be considered to have a Short Term Orientation. On the other hand, their society is also full of traditions which they do not want to change which would seem more like a Long-Term Orientation. According to Hofstede, this places them in the middle of the spectrum, with a preference for both ends of the spectrum, depending on the situation (The Hofstede Centre, 2016). |
EducationEducation is highly valued. The people of Pakistan have identified the importance that the educational system plays in the formation of their culture, unity and solidarity of their nation. They have thus taken steps to ensure that the entire curriculum from kindergarten to high school is in accordance with the ideology of Pakistan (Ronaq, 2014). They have also increased the funding for education and the number of teachers being trained in recent years with the hope of providing an opportunity for all children to attend school (CIA World Factbook, 1994).
Still, most rural Pakistanis remain illiterate. Over 80% of women in certain areas are unable to read, write, or do math (Constable, 2011, p. 9). This was discovered to be partly due to people’s fear of safety for their daughters in attending school, and them being able to maintain their honour in doing so (CIA World Factbook, 1994). Nonetheless, literacy is still desired by most. A woman whose family was displaced because of the floods in 2010 described this view so eloquently when she said: “I want my children to be civilized,” [Hani] said. “In our tribe children only memorize the Koran, but there is a school in this camp. My husband says he is too old to learn, but people who read can shop better and learn the news, and the landlord’s men can’t cheat them on the grain shares. If this flood has brought us to a school, then maybe it is God’s plan.” (Constable, 2011, p. 7) ReligionPakistan was created as an Islamic State. As such, the Muslim religion is infused into all aspects of life in Pakistan. 97% of Pakistanis are considered Muslim (about 77% Sunni Islam and 20% Shi'a Muslim) though there are minority representations of Christians, Hindus, and other religions as well (2014 CIA WORLD FACTBOOK, 2014).
Many Muslims are very defensive about their religion, and are easily roused to anger over the slightest comment or action which they consider to be insulting to Islam. The Blasphemy Laws which state that anyone who insults Islam must be put to death have been a source of contention with the minority groups in particular who feel that they are being targeted unfairly (BBC News, 2014). The following video clip discusses these issues more: |