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The Individual

If we look at the individual from a social point of view we must consider that there is always a connection between society and individuals. Consequently, those societies might be successful which are made up of successful people. Nowadays individuals tend to focus on their careers as becoming wealthy is a common goal.
Due to the desire to become rich, individuals must take part in a never-ending competition for success. Unfortunately, people are struggling to reach a higher position to earn more in order to get everything they want. This has made our modern world a place where struggling is an everyday issue just like failure and success. Consequently, people have become tense, depressed and furthermore, society is deeply unequal with respect to wealth and social status.
In a community which supports the strongest and the most successful, there will always be those, who never have the opportunity to compete and always face inequality. It is our task to help them, and it’s a pity to have to admit that there is no society which doesn’t have to deal with problems of integration. Societies are always made up of “the majority” and of minorities from other nations or disabled people. For example, here in Hungary there are many people from different nations who live here as minorities: the Germans, Chinese, Croatians, or Serbians.
At first, the differences between the old and the new cultures are seen in a romantic light. For example, upon moving to a new country, an individual might love the new food, the pace of life, and the locals' habits. During the first few weeks, most people are fascinated by the new culture. They associate with nationals who speak their language, and who are polite to the foreigners. This period is full of observations and new discoveries
After some time (usually around three months, depending on the individual), differences between the old and new culture become apparent and may create anxiety. Excitement may eventually give way to unpleasant feelings of frustration and anger as one continues to experience unfavourable events that may be perceived as strange and offensive to one's cultural attitude. Language barriers, stark differences in public hygiene, traffic safety, food accessibility and quality may heighten the sense of disconnection from the surroundings.
Again, after some time (usually 6 to 12 months), one grows accustomed to the new culture and develops routines. One knows what to expect in most situations and the host country no longer feels all that new, and begins to accept the culture's ways with a positive attitude. The culture begins to make sense, and negative reactions and responses to the culture are reduced.
Integrating foreign groups into society is mainly a political task, although it can only work if all individuals take it seriously. Unfortunately it’s easier to talk about it than to do it. Therefore we ought to consider integration one of government’s main tasks, as they try to achieve total understanding between the minorities and the majority, and endeavor to reduce conflicts based on cultural differences. But their goals consist not only of integration, but also the preservation of the minority cultures and traditions. The government encourages minority communities to organize folk days and festivals where they have the opportunity to introduce their culture and old traditions to us Hungarians.
Not only educational and governmental institutions are obligated to take into account minority rights: The media also has to broadcast national and minority programs. It’s compulsory for government-financed TV channels like TV Danube or m1 or m2 to broadcast a predetermined amount of minority programs, or programs in the language of the particular minority. Hungarian Radio ensures a separate radio channel for minorities, MR4, which broadcasts 2-hour Croatian, German, Serbian, Romanian and Slovak programs every day in order to help integration and offer entertainment and culture for the minorities in their own language.
It seems there is little understanding toward the problems of other people. I strongly believe that it’s our personal responsibility to help to integrate minorities into society and find a way for them to live among us.
Whether you are a member of the local majority or minority, you must perform your best day by day in order to get by. Life is becoming a rush, and this modern lifestyle has another price we must pay: the next generation growing up without parents. This is one of the main problems that each person must face. How does one build a career and live an effective family life at the same time?