<Author>Aaron</Author>
<Topic>The Value of Individual Development</Topic>
<Source></Source>
<Nationality>USA</Nationality>
Individual development refers to the cultivation of skills in a personal, rather than collective, manner. It rests on the assumption that, as no two people are exactly alike, learning is most effective when designed to conform to the person. Likewise, if the learner is forced to mold to a standardized method, education become less effective. Individual development does not always subordinate group needs to the individual; it is simply a teaching method that accepts and considers personal differences.
America and China value individual development. Americans strongly feel that all people are equally valuable, yet have different interests and abilities. Further, Americans constantly seek new ways to improve what they do. Finally, American values normally place individual needs over those of the group. Thus individual development is highly encouraged.
While Chinese culture ultimately subordinates the individual to the group, it realizes the importance of flexibility in education. Chinese philosophy accepts personal differences as part of the natural order, and responds to such differences understandingly. This can be contrasted with some traditional Japanese and Korean teaching methods, which seek to all but eliminate individual differences.
Such group teaching styles have value in certain circumstances such as the military. However, individual development more often allows people to reach their full potential in whatever skill or subject they study. Rigid conformation stifles, while individual tailoring liberates.