According to Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory, one of the aspects that define cultures and societies is the degree of interdependence between individuals in a community. This position is granted on a scale between individualism and collectivism, often called the Individualism Index.
In simple terms, individualist societies emphasizes individuality—“I” before “we”, and keeps closeness with a few selected individuals. By contrast, collectivist cultures prioritize the “we” and belong in bigger groups with members that support one another in exchange for loyalty.
Hofstede’s study determined that American society is one of the most individualist in the world, although minority communities—most notably African and Asian-Americans—display slightly higher levels of collectivism than the average. In comparison, nearly all African countries—sans South Africa—are defined as collectivist.
This means that African expats arriving in the United States have not only left their family, communities, and support systems behind—they also came to a country where they are unlikely to find a culture similar to the one they moved from.
Of course, this can carry positive connotations—many embrace the freedom that comes with being an individual and not a representative of their family or community. Likewise, American individualism encourages growth and avoid the potential restrictions that can develop in collectivist societies.
However, the negative sides can be jarring for newcomers, particularly the expectations of self-sufficiency, cutthroat competition for the top, and the lack of societal support and unity.
Neither individualism nor collectivism is good or bad—they are just different. They are not exclusive either; you can find group support in the U.S. and individualistic push for success in Cote d’Ivoire. However, it’s essential to understand the different ways these traits affect the way society works and how to prepare for it.
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