Reciprocity

Reading

Reciprocity is a long-standing form of human sharing that allows members of a group to subsequently benefit equally from the resources necessary to sustain the group. Reciprocity is particularly important in egalitarian societies but also remains somewhat present in societies that are organized around the exchange of money for services rather than around egalitarian practices. Gift giving is one form of reciprocity that continues to exist within nonegalitarian societies. Read this write-up regarding gift giving in China.

Writing

Answer the following questions:

1. How does gift-giving in China reflect the concept of reciprocity?
2. What meaning is attached to gift giving in China?
3. What social obligations are satisfied via gift-giving in China?
4. Given that China is a society primarily organized around the exchange of money for services, why do you think that gift-giving still exists in China?
5. How are Chinese cultural norms and practices reflected in the way gifts are given and in the types of gifts given?
6. How do Chinese gift-giving practices differ from gift-giving practices in the United States?
7. What sorts of social obligations does gift giving fulfill in the United States – or does gift giving have no social meaning here?
8. Are there any social repercussions if a person does not give a gift in China?
9. Are there any social repercussions if a person does not give a gift in the United States?
10. What form of gift giving in the United States (e.g., birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, etc.) do you think best illustrates gift giving as a form of reciprocity, and why?

Submission

Submit your assignment paper to the dropbox: L7-Reciprocity