Cultural Differences between North and South U.

Cultural Differences of the Northern and Southern United States

Miheer Naik
University of Kentucky
CIS 110

Cultural Differences between North and South U.S

Abstract
The Northeast region of the United States and the Southeast region of the United States
are very unique and different based on their culture based of Hofstedes cultural dimensions. The
two areas are diverse in the aspect of power distance, individualism versus collectivism,
masculinity versus feminism, long term and short term orientation, and indulgences versus
resistance. In all the aspects, the two regions contrast and have entirely different cultures.

Cultural Differences between North and South U.S

The distinction of the North and South United States dates back all the way to the Civil
War. Even though this division between the North and South occurred in the 1860s, there is still a
clear distinction till this day between the two areas. Both areas are unique in social norms,
behaviors, ethnicities and religions and many of these behaviors are derived from the values of
the population in each area. Communication also plays a large role in culture. It is clear that
countries have different culture in a communication aspect but even different regions within a
country can be different in communication. Using Hofstede's cultural dimensions, the North and
South United States have many differences as a culture.
The North, which is usually specified as the Northeastern region of the United States, as
defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, covers nine states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania (New
World Encyclopedia contributors 2009). It is seen as a culture hearth throughout the United
States. Due to colonization and vast immigration waves throughout the areas history, the North
area is known to be very diverse compared to the rest of the country. The South covers Florida,
Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and Delaware,
Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee. The southern states have a very rich and unique
culture which is highly associated with the behaviors of the people which come from their
religion, history and the demographics of the area.
The individualism-collectivism dimension relates to a societal, not an individual's,
characteristic and identifies the extent to which people in a society are integrated into groups
(Vandello, J & Cohen, D 1993). The North and South are very different based on the individualcollectivism aspect.

The South is known to have a very collectivist society based on the

behaviors of the people. Compared to the North, the South have a very strong regional

Cultural Differences between North and South U.S

identification that has a lot to do with the history and ecological factors. One apparent historical
factor that contributes to collectivism in the south is slavery and specifically the plantation and
farming system (Anthony Harkins 2004). During this time period when agriculture played a
massive role in the country, many farmers did not do the farming themselves and unfortunately
used slaves and other workers. Even though this was a negative social point of the South, this
farming method used a large number of people that relied on each others jobs to reach a main
goal. Even with slavery not existing in the United States today, this system and tradition of
collectivism was carried on through families, communities and groups. Also the South is seen as
the bible belt referring to a strong catholic presence in the area. This also is a contributing
factor to collectivism since all members of the Church work together constantly and rely on one
another. In contrast, the Northeast is not seen as collective but rather a strong presence of
individualism. The area become strongly individualistic with the industrialization of large cities
eventually leading to a merchant/white collar style business. It is common for many individuals
strive for personal success. Due to the large diversity of ethnicities and religion and the business
oriented environment, this causes the people to work more personally and think more for
themselves rather than a whole society. People that are new to a country dont immediately
assimilate (Anthony Harkins 2004). Obviously collectivism still exists in the Northeast but is not
as apparent as the South but individualism definitely plays a larger role. The values that people
had throughout history are transferred through generation and affect the behaviors of people
today.
Power distance refers to the extent to which less powerful members of organizations and
institutions (including the family) accept and expect unequal power distributions (Riley 2013).
The South has a very large distance society throughout the area. One example is in a family

Cultural Differences between North and South U.S

aspect. In the south, family tradition is taken very seriously and most importantly parents are
highly obedient with their children. This occurs not in just families but is common among many
relations throughout the south. It is common for a higher figure to be more affirmative and direct
with those lower than him. In the Northeast, the power distance is more of a small distance
society. In a family aspect for example, parents talk to their children as equal and raise them as
equal as well. In the business world higher figures tend to be more open and are more involved
with work below him or her.
The masculinity-femininity cultural dimension is a large comparison between the north
and south as well. The northeast is a very feminine area which affects a lot of the lifestyle there.
Being a feminine society means that many women are seen as equal as men in a social, political
or economic standpoint. This means that the stereotype of a house mom is not very common and
that more women are driven to work and be equal to men. This largely affects the behavior in the
area due to women working more, and performing more masculine roles in life. Compared to
this, the south is a very masculine oriented society. This means that many women perform
stereotypical roles such as stay at home, raise children, clean etc. This affects the behavior of the
population since men are more driven to go out and work since the women stay home.
The long- versus short-term orientation refers to whether a society exhibits a pragmatic
future-oriented perspective or a conventional historic point of view (Riley 2013). The northeast
area of the United States is seen as a long term oriented society. They are very set on the future
and tend to focus more about future development and creating future relationships. The south on
the other hand is very short term orientation. They are very focused on the past and the present.
Also they tend to be more focused on the preserving their society rather than seeking to change.

Cultural Differences between North and South U.S

Individuals from a long-term orientation culture tend focus more on a status of a relationship and
improving that status.
The South is a seen as a very indulgent region, while the Northeast is seen as a very
restraint region. The South a society that allows relatively free gratification of basic and natural
human drives and is highly related to enjoying life (Riley 2013). Many people of the South
believe in enjoying life and living a pleasurable lifestyle. Whereas in the Northeast region, they
are a society that suppresses gratification of needs and regulates it by means of strict social
norms, meaning that it is common for the northern population to stick to uniformity and follow
social norms such as wearing a tie to work every day.
The Northeast and the Deep South are very culturally different even though they are one
nation. Using Hofstedes cultural dimensions to compare the two regions of the country, the
regions majorly differ with the Northeast being individualist and the South being collectivist.
The South having a large power distance and the Northeast having a small power distance is
another contributing factor that adds to the differences. The two regions differing in masculinity
and feminism is another factor why the two cultures are so different.

Cultural Differences between North and South U.S

References
Harkins, A. Hillbilly: A Cultural History of an American Icon (2004, Oxford Univ. Press) pp.
124136
Riley, J. Examples of Cultural Dimensions. (2013). Retrieved October 7, 2015.
New World Encyclopedia contributors Northeastern United States. (2009). Retrieved October 7,
2015.
Vandello, J., & Cohen, D. (1999, January 15). Patterns of Individualism and Collectivism across
the United States. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
Parramore, L. (2014, July 27). What I Learned Growing Up in the South as a Feminist, and the
Problems With Today's Feminist Movement. Retrieved October 14, 2015.