Dzlethian Cultural Values: Part 2
1. Individualism vs. Collectivism
Dzlethians fall somewhere in the middle on this scale. While individual advancement is valued, they also have strong senses of social connections and who is tied to who. Loyalty to these connections is important, often just as important as someone’s duty to themself. Large families often live together, and social duty is expected. Even so, people are typically expected to look out for their own interests.
Dzlethian society has a very high power distance. Those who have lofty ranks have a lot of power over those who do not, and the people who are low in caste are expected to accept their position in life and not contest it. Class differences are strict. Moving between them is rare. Inequalities are considered an important part of how society functions, with the class system held in strict, vital regard.
Dzlethians have fairly strong uncertainty avoidance. Their culture is very fixated on rules and order, and they dislike anything that threatens these. Strict adherence to these social codes of conduct is an obligation. They’re particular about rules, distrustful of others, and don’t take many risks. Rigidity is a common part of their behavior and viewpoints, and they’re not very accepting of other beliefs.
Dzlethians have a heavy orientation to the future. They’re fond of long-term goals, complex ambitions, and planning ahead. Riskiness and impulsive behavior are seen as foolish and inappropriate. Working toward something in the future is common, and the present moment is usually considered something to be used to produce the desired result later in time. They don’t often “live in the moment”, as it’s said.
Dzlethians are very low in gender equality. Their society is heavily skewed in favor of females, with males taking a much lower role. Males have fewer rights, however, they also have fewer duties and aren’t placed under as many risks, and are also typically treated well by the higher-ranking females. This gender gap is very strict, with even the most modern generations considering it important to follow.
Generally, Dzlethian society ranks high in assertiveness. Ambition and “stepping on the competition” are typically valued, with strength and ability to get what one wants also seen as positive. Competition and success are valued. Those with more gentle personalities usually don’t get as far in life and are often seen as weaker-willed or unable to stand up for themselves. Assertiveness is rarely concealed.
Dzlethians are very much on the doing side of this spectrum. They highly value activity and industry and believe that they should always be working toward some form of accomplishment. Self-assertion is common, with most of them believing that only they can control their fates. Performance and success are highly rewarded, and slow-paced appreciation of the world is almost unheard of in their culture.
Dzlethians have a very low humane orientation. For the most part, they believe that people are expected to take care of themselves and that no one is responsible for the wellbeing of another. The main exception to this is females and their husbands, where they’re expected to care for the males and protect them as a societal show of strength and capability. Females are seen as more self-sufficient.
9. Indulgence vs. Restraint
Dzlethians are somewhere in the middle of this spectrum. While they don’t see excessive restraint from worldly pleasures as necessary, overly indulging in the same also isn’t viewed fondly. Moderation and cautiousness are valued more than either extreme. Dzlethians will do what pleases them to a certain extent, but they also won’t go out of their way to indulge so intensely that it reflects poorly upon them.