The Relationship between Enculturation and Individuals as They Grow - Research Paper Example

Research Paper Introduction The study was conducted to examine the relationship between enculturation and individuals asthey grow and get into the future. The study examines how individual’s reacts to their environment when brought out of their cultures.it also includes their attitudes toward seeking professional and what is psychologically and ethically right. The methodology of study used was interview where data was collected from two individuals present and lives through interviews. Their perceptions were also recorded.the study covers the introduction of the study, problem statement, methodology used,history of interviewers,content,comparison,analysis and conclusion.it was assumed that these individuals are perfect human beings with same understanding but different cultures surrounds’ them. According to the dictionary Enculturation is the process by which people learn the requirements of their surrounding culture and acquire values and behaviors appropriate or necessary in that culture. As part of this process, the influences that limit, direct, or shape the individual (whether deliberately or not) include parents, other adults, and peers. If successful, enculturation results in competence in the language, values and rituals of the culture. Discussion Respecting one’s elders was highly emphasized, the family was of utmost importance and the Children are taught that no matter how old you are, respecting your parents is mandatory. The other respondent was Ann Clawson who grew in a culture where they were taught true blue American values like hard work and education, and her parents made sure that she came up knowing how important it was to work hard for my education. Her parents had been extremely strict in terms of school: anything less than an A was unacceptable, and that was definitely the way they were with me. From the interview it is evident that the Society and family plays an important role on personality. The self does not exist on its self but has a direct and continuous relation with others. From birth onward, the social surrounding shapes and defines individuals, whether it is through family, school or peers. Through the process of socialization, the person acquires a set of behaviors, values and perceptions passed on by her d culture, yet there is still debate as to what extent nurture may outdo nature. History of interviewees Sarwat was born in 1961 in Cairo town. He had both parents where Father was a carpenter, mother was a homemaker. His life was influenced by Local history/events that influenced life choices and Muslim vs. Christian politics affected desire to leave the country, despite having comfortable financial circumstances ,he also Wanted to get away from religious discrimination and come to a western country, in order to be able to practice his faith. In 20 years, he only worked for two companies. He respects his parents’ culture which resulted in a very strict upbringing. , He first worked at Burger King for two months then a friend offered him a job in southern California, and began working as a mechanic’s assistant. , and eventually applied at Amdahl Corporation due to his passion on engineering. . He realized that if he got an education he’d be able to progress in the company and went to college, acquiring an AS in the field of Electrical Engineering. Later He wanted to become a real estate agent, but didn’t excel in it because in his mind, good work is work that is both profitable and enjoyable, whereas bad work is work that he dreads going to. To him, enjoyable work is work you’re passionate about. He also believed that an ideal family cares about each other, and accepts each member for who they are, without judgment. They stand by one another and is centered around Go Anna Clawson was born May 7, 1964 in Johnson City, Tennessee was born in the error of intergration.her family was set up in a way that the mother was a stay at home mom, and my father was a banker. The father bordered on being a workaholic, and she didn’t see him much; while that taught her the value of hard work. They were brought up in a culture that taught true blue American values like hard work and education, and they made very sure that she came up knowing how important it was to work hard for her education. Her parents had been extremely strict in terms of school: anything less than an A was unacceptable, and that was definitely the way they were with her. Sarwat’s response to effect of enculturation on the life of an individual accepted the hypothesis that encultuirisation has positive effect on an individual where he says ‘He wishes to continue the family tradition of parents giving their all for their kids.’ He wants to make sure that the family remains tight knit, and continues to come together often. Which he didn’t when he was younger. But as time went on and he actually became married, he realized that as time had gone on, standards had changed and relationships were different. He wanted to maintain the level of love and consideration his parents had for one another, while coming closer to current cultural norms. From his response he states that, He feels there are positives and negatives to his ethnic background. He strives to keep the positives, and root out the negatives. He doesn’t maintain anything he doesn’t believe in simply because it’s a cultural precept; he gives an example of, Egyptian culture dictates that, upon the death of a loved one, there is literal gnashing of teeth accompanied with screams of sorrow and extreme shows of emotion. Ann Clawson response that enculturation has a negative effect and negative effect on an individual and will to to instill the same work ethic in future generations that she got from her parents. She want to teach them independence and the value of education. Her response is influenced by her experience on her perception on how damaging it can be for a child to have a parent who is often missing from major events in their life. She says’ As I grew up, this made me want to make sure that my work never got in the way of my ability to be a driving force in my children’s lives, and I didn’t feel it mattered if that meant we lived a simpler lifestyle. Comparison Both of them believed in parents’ culture. Respecting one’s elders was highly emphasized. Sarwat says that the family was of utmost importance. Children are taught that no matter how old you are, respecting your parents is mandatory. While Anna says that she had to decide how she felt about people of color, and the fact that they were now going to be in my classes at school. She had believed in her parents’ culture. Sarwat believes that an ideal family cares about each other, and accepts each member for who they are, without judgment. They stand by one another. An ideal family is centered on God. While Anna believes that an ideal family is one that consists of independent individuals, but still comes together from time to time. They understand that working hard is important, but they never allow hard work to get in the way of being in one another’s lives in the ways that matter. Sarwat believes, good work is work that is both profitable and enjoyable, whereas bad work is work that he dreads going to. To him, enjoyable work is work you’re passionate about. And every culture should enhance its members to do what they are passionate about. Anna on the other hand believes any work that you look forward to going to is ideal. It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as you find it satisfying and rewarding. Analysis Enculturation is the process where the culture that is existing teaches an individual the accepted norms and values of the community where the individual lives. The individual can become an accepted member and conforms to the needed functions and roles of the group to achieve what is known as societal goals. Most importantly the person knows and establishes a context of limits or jurisdictions and acceptable behavior that dictates what is acceptable and not acceptable within the framework of that society. It teaches the individual their role within society as well as what is accepted behavior within that society and lifestyle. According to Conrad Philip, enculturation can be conscious or unconscious; therefore can support both the Marxist and the hegemonic arguments. There are three ways a person learns a culture. Direct teaching of a culture is done; this is what happens when you don't pay attention, mostly by the parents, when a person is told to do something because it is right and to not do something because it is bad. For example, when children ask for something, they are constantly asked "What do you say?" and the child is expected to remember to say "please." The second conscious way a person learns a culture is to watch others around them and to emulate their behavior. An example would be using different slang with different cliques in school. Enculturation also happens unconsciously, through events and behaviors that prevail in their culture. All three kinds of acculturation happen simultaneously and all the time. Conclusion Although enculturation helps shape a person into an acceptable person or member of the community. Culture influences every aspect of a person’s life and everything that a person does, whether they are aware of it or not.it is a lifelong process that helps us intergrate people. Even as a culture modernize and changes, core beliefs, values, norms, worldviews, and child-rearing stay the same. From the respondent it’s also evident that there are positives and negatives to his ethnic background. sarwat strives to keep the positives, and root out the negatives.thus every individual should strive to do so. He doesn’t maintain anything he doesn’t believe in simply because it’s a cultural precept; for example, Egyptian culture dictates that, upon the death of a loved one, there is literal gnashing of teeth accompanied with screams of sorrow and extreme shows of emotion. Read More