Calling Interdependence peer pressure is diluting the nuance of people's relationships. It has a lot to do with culture and societal norms, for example in my culture (Arab) there is a strong emphasis on family and community values, i'm expected to take care of my parents, even going so far as to ensure their financial stability during retirement (absolutely NO care homes!). It's an interesting insight into conformity, but it's clear to researchers that western countries have less conformity, and therefore more selfishness by default; it's a symptom of the capitalist mindset.
Regarding charity, yes western countries are more charitable but isn't this just more conformity? Charity is always given the most when others are watching, when it's made into a game or a challenge (remember ALS ice bucket?). Using charity as a metric for interdependence is also an illusion. More charity does not necessarily mean more interdependence; we should be measuring (as best as we can) happiness and satisfaction in daily life, which coincidentally the US and the UK fall short compared to other nations.
Maybe what we can learn from this is that there isn't a be all end all singular mindset, and we can adapt our thinking to fit our cultural norms, whilst avoiding the pitfall of self indulgence.
Coming from Judaism - our history was based on family and community as well. It's only recently in the US that the personal impulse has become more important than taking care of your family. The word for charity (tzadaka in Hebrew, I think the Arabic world is very similar), you know is not and should never be about showing pride or wealth. This is what our Christian friends actually wrote down in their bible... their prophet was some rabbi who pointed out that many other rabbis strut around pretending to look charitable, who are in fact selfish. Then they nailed him to a cross for saying that. This behaviour has not changed much in the last 2000 years, whether you're Muslim, Jewish or Christian.
> Calling Interdependence peer pressure is diluting the nuance of people's relationships.
True, it cannot always be reduced to that, especially within families.
It might often seem detached and of course elders always want to be visited more, but many also prefer that they can live in a special care.
The realities of modern work and family structures in western nations doesn't leave much room for care in many cases and it gives elders as their children more freedom.
It is true about the signaling properties of charity, although that is much more common in high society groups where it is indeed an expectation or a reason to come together. There are exceptions though.
Maybe what we can learn from this is that there isn't a be all end all singular mindset, and we can adapt our thinking to fit our cultural norms, whilst avoiding the pitfall of self indulgence.