Culture and Its Impact on People and Their Lives - Case Study Example

Table of Contents Culture and its Impact on People and Their Lives 2 Introduction 2 Perspective on Culture 3 Cultural Impact on Life Experience and Belief Systems 4 Impact of Culture on Interactions 6 Lessening the Impact of Cultural Divide 7 Conclusion 8 References 9 Interview one (male) 10 Interview two (female) 12 Culture and its Impact on People and Their Lives Introduction Culture plays a vital role in our daily lives. Culture can be defined as a system that incorporates various ways or patterns of performing any act, leading a life or behaving in a certain manner (Kroeber and Kluckhohn 1952). Culture can also be defined as a shared set of values identified by all members of the society (Kroeber and Kluckhohn 1952). Every culture has some patterns and believes and people tend to be different with their respective cultures (White 1949). Culture is created by means of people of a particular society. It is also said that culture plays a part in the development of a society or an individual (White 1949). Culture can be judged by means of religion, lifestyle, literature, music, foods, arts and architecture, language, fashions, behaviors, rituals and symbols employed by individuals of a society (Tyler 1974). The culture is shifted from generation to the other generation and keeps on changing (Kroeber and Kluckhohn 1952). Culture is an important part of our lives, which is responsible for shaping our personalities (Dabaghian 1970). It enables us to develop into the individuals as we are. People from different cultures are different because of the different social values that are there because of culture (Tyler 1974). With the help of culture, the development in a society can be judged. With the passage of time, the culture of a society goes through various transactions that are the outcome of change in cultural values because of many reasons (Dabaghian 1970). The reasons that can bring in a change in a culture are invasion of a country, impact of global linkage, migration of people from other cultures, colonialism and many others (Dabaghian 1970). For this paper two individuals are interviewed. Both are them belong to different cultures. One is from South Africa while the other is from England. The first interviewee is a male while the second one is female. The interview includes questions that are helpful in revealing their cultural perspectives and the impact of culture on their lives. Perspective on Culture Both of the interviewees have different perspectives on culture. Culture leaves a strong impact on people and their lives. Different people have different perspectives on culture. Perspectives on culture vary because of multiple reasons (Davis 1992). People consider themselves attached to their respective cultures because they are born in a society under a culture (Agbaje 1996). A person is able to keep an identity on the basis of his/her culture (Rosman and Rubel 2001). Culture enables a person to keep an identity of one self. One’s religion, one’s language, one’s country, one’s art and architecture, literature and many other aspects combine together to generate a culture of a person (Mbakogu 2004). People of a society usually have one culture but when people have started to migrate to different countries because of many reasons, multiculturalism started to exist due to which, a society now, does not have one culture but many cultures simultaneously (Rosman and Rubel 2001). When the first interviewee was asked about his cultural perspective, he informed that he felt himself connected to his culture. For him, his culture was very important. He belongs to Africa by birth and has always spoken Afrikaans that is the language spoken in South Africa but at his university level and for business proceedings, he has to learn to speak English as it was required. He is proud of his culture but also adds that there are some features of his culture that are not liked by him and he wants to transact them. On the other hand, when the second interviewee was asked about her cultural perspective, she reported that many features of her culture have been changed with the passage of time such as the rituals in which, there was welcoming of seasons. According to her perception, every individual should be allowed to adhere to his/her culture and there should be no intrusion of other cultures. She believes that because of arrival of people from other cultures to England, there has been some affect on cultural values of England and there is a process of fading of old cultural values because of new cultural values. Cultural Impact on Life Experience and Belief Systems Culture leaves a strong impact on life experience and belief systems. Usually it is seen that people adopt the religion of their parents as they have developed under the rules of same religion (Huntington 1996). Not only religion but people also develop a liking for some special aspects of a certain culture because they have exercised certain values of that culture (Davis 1992). However in some cases, it is also seen that people resist accepting the religion of their parents once, they grew old because while exercising a certain religion, they find faults with it. Therefore, culture plays a vital role in our lives and belief systems. According to the first interviewee, he is brought up in strict guidelines concerning culture and religion from his family. He feels that his family culture is fading with the passage of time as he is away from his country and culture from a long time. He repeatedly informs about his being proud of his culture. He thinks that his culture has limitations concerning religion and politics but he thinks that he does not allow those limitations to restrict him. He considers that his culture enables people to be friendly, warm and supportive. He considers the above mentioned aspects as benefits of his culture. According to him, his culture allowed him to explore himself according to his needs. He identified a positive contribution of his culture on his life. He is glad that people regard his culture and him. He also reported that initially he had some prejudice because of culture concerning some races in South Africa and there were also religious limitations but everything improved with time. After being in Aussie culture, he also identified its contribution in his life. According to him, the dominant culture of his life is Aussie culture as he is able to correspond in that culture more as compared to his culture. According to his views, Aussie culture accepted him as own. The second interviewee has different views concerning impact of culture on life experience and belief systems. She reports that English culture has not contributed in her development but Aussie culture is doing the supportive work of her development. She feels that her culture is flexible as it accommodates people from other cultures. According to her people belonging to English culture are reserved and make use of sarcasm to cover their sadness. After being in Aussie culture, she learnt to open hearted. Her culture, English culture made her reserve and close but in Aussie culture, she was required to be open hearted. She thought that belonging to a lower class made her unworthy and it was culture that made her think in that way. She felt more associated to Aussie culture as compared to English culture. She thinks herself a part of Aussie culture. According to her perception, Aussie culture accepts people from different parts of the world. She also thinks that in Aussie culture, people are more stick to each other. She is not even attached to the religion of her parents. She is more attached to the new culture that is Aussie culture. Impact of Culture on Interactions Culture leaves a strong impact on interaction with other people. Because of culture, people have different personalities and they reveal their personalities while interacting with others (Mbakogu 2004). Culture affects interactions because of language and personalities. Because of language, a person has a specific tone and accent, due to which, a person is identified belonging to a specific culture (Huntington 1996). For example, if a person is Chinese by birth, he will have different appearance, different language, different religion, different literature and different likings. Therefore, every person is different according to his/her culture. While interacting with the first interviewee, I came to know through his answers that it is language with the help of which, people identify him belonging to African culture. The interviewee feels that his culture allows him to interact with people on flexible basis. He reveals that he is unable to adopt English language fully because of his African accent. He feels that he interacts with people smoothly but, sometimes, there are issues concerning correspondence because of accent of his language. While interacting with himself, he feels that his culture has no impact and he also adds that he is what he is and there is no change because of his culture on his personality. While interacting with his family, he considers that some of the values of his culture are beneficial for him and his family but as his family is not from his culture, so, sometimes, he gets lost in his own cultural values and is unable to understand some aspects of his family. He also adds that sometimes his family is not able to understand his cultural part because of their association to some other culture. The second interviewee, who was a lady of thirty five years and was born in England under a Christian culture, reported that her culture made her reserve and after being in Australia, she has to amend herself by being open hearted. In her interactions with people, she was reserve at first but then she learnt to be open hearted. She feels that her culture and Aussie culture are somehow similar due to which, she has no problems in her change of culture. She feels that culture does not impact too much on her correspondence with others. While interacting with her family, she faces no problems because; they are somehow from similar cultures. She also reports that she has adopted all the good aspects from her culture and has discarded those, which appeared bad to her. She reports that she has taken good values from both cultures. Along with English, she was able to speak many other languages that eased her interaction to other people of the society. Lessening the Impact of Cultural Divide Because of multiple in one society, there is a cultural divide created that divides the people of one society in many groups and communities and that cultural divide can be controlled by harmonious and open hearted relationships between people of different cultures (Huntington 1996). Every one must be allowed to do according to his/her own culture and the positive points of the other cultures should be adopted to make the world a global village. While interviewing both of the interviewees, different opinions came in forefront concerning cultural divide. The first interview suggested that to lessen cultural divide, people should acknowledge other cultures as well and should interact with other cultures. He further reports that both the old and new culture should be integrated due to which, a culture will be developed that will be more flexible and more accommodating. He further adds that people from different cultures should be allowed to keep their own culture and do as they wish. The second interviewee, the lady suggested that people should try to develop a new culture that should keep the positive values of the old culture and new culture. According to her opinion, cultures should be merged in order to make an idealistic society. She further informs that she is an idealist as she wished to end the cultural divide by merging cultures into a new culture. Conclusion After analyzing the interviews given by both of the interviewees, it is clear that culture leaves a strong impact on people and they develop their personalities on the basis of their culture. Whether people acknowledge the contribution of their culture or not, it is here to help them in their development. Culture affects life experiences, it affects belief systems, and it affects people’s interactions with others and with their own selves. Because of living in societies that are multicultural, there is a need to end, cultural divide that exists in societies (Swerdlow 1999). People from different cultures should be allowed to retain their own cultural values and people from each culture should be respected. Moreover, good cultural values should be merged to develop a culture that is more harmonious and accommodating. References Agbaje, A 1996, Culture, corruption and development, Voices from Africa, 41-51. Dabaghian, J 1970, Mirror of Man: Readings in Sociology and Literature, Little, Brown and Company Limited, Canada. Davis, Fred 1992, Fashion, Culture, and Identity, University of Chicago Press, Chicago. Huntington, Samuel P 1996, The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order, Simon & Schuster, New York. Kroeber, A. L. and Kluckhohn, C 1952, Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions, Peabody Museum, Cambridge, MA. Mbakogu, Ifeyinwa Annastasia 2004, Is There Really a Relationship between Culture and Development?, Anthropologist, 6(1), 37-43. Rosman, Abraham, and Rubel, Paula G 2001, The Tapestry of Culture: An Introduction to Cultural Anthropology. Swerdlow, J 1999, Global culture, National Geographic, 196(2), 22-33. Tylor, E.B 1974, Primitive culture: researches into the development of mythology, philosophy, religion, art, and custom, Gordon Press, New York. White, L 1949, The Science of Culture: A study of man and civilization, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York. Appendix Interview one (male) What nationality are you? South African Where were you born? Windhoek, Namibia How old are you? 34 How long have you been in Australia? 8.5 years What religion are you? Christian Where were your parents born? South Africa Are you a citizen? Yes Describe your cultural background. I am from the Afrikaans speaking part of the South African community. Grew up speaking Afrikaans and only really started speaking English at University and in business. What is your perspective on your culture? I am proud of my cultural background and feel very much connected to my culture, however there are parts of my culture that I do not like. How have you developed your identity around your culture? I have been brought up with strict guidelines from my family and church about my culture. I am very proud of some aspects of my culture, but also somewhat sad that my culture seems to be fading a bit now that I am living overseas and have less exposure to that culture. What are the limitations of your culture? Mainly relating to religious and political views. I don’t limit myself around those beliefs. What are the benefits of your culture? Very friendly, warm and hearty people, always there to support each other – even in a foreign country. Do you speak another language other than English? Yes, Afrikaans. How has your culture impacted on your life experience? I think my culture allowed me to experience life to whatever degree I wanted. I feel lucky that people are normally very accepting of my and my culture. How has your culture impacted on your belief system? Initially it limited me views on other races that lived in South Africa. It also program some religious views into you. How does your culture affect your interaction with others? My culture allows for interaction with any others. I don’t feel it affects it much, besides the issue of languages/accent which sometimes are a bit of an issue, especially with ocker Aussies. How does your culture affect your interaction with yourself? I am who I am. I don’t think it interact differently because of my culture. How has becoming a citizen of Australia changed your concept of your culture? No. But it made me feel part of a new culture. Describe the Australian cultures? Mateship, we are all part of the one country no matter where we came from. Have fun, don’t take life too seriously. Consider quality of life Which culture is more dominant? And why? Both play a big part of who I am. Aussie is probably more dominant, because of more interactions with Aussies. Even South African friends in Aus are becoming Aussies, as a result of integration. How does your culture affect your interaction with your family? Some of my values from my culture are really good for my family, although sometimes I feel lost as my family is not from the same culture as me and it feels like they don’t understand that part of me. What is your suggestion for lessening the impact of cultural divide that may occur? Embrace a new culture and help people to understand why an Aussie culture is important. Don’t prohibit them from living their cultural values but encourage them to integrate that with the Aussie culture. Interview two (female) What nationality are you? BRITISH AND AUSTRALIAN Where were you born? MALDON, ESSEX, ENGLAND How old are you? 35 How long have you been in Australia? 9 YEARS What religion are you? NONE (family background was Church of England) Where were your parents born? FATHER: WALTHAMSTOW, LONDON, ENGLAND MOTHER: ROMFORD, ESSEX, ENGLAND Are you a citizen? YES Describe your cultural background. I COME FROM A WORKING CLASS TO MIDDLE CLASS FAMILY IN THE UK. WE OWNED OUR OWN HOUSE, ATTENDED STATE SCHOOLS. MUCH OF OUR CULTURE INVOLVED CELEBRATING HISTORICAL EVENTS SUCH AS THE ENDING OF WORLD WARS, THE ARRIVAL OF THE SPANISH ARMADA, DOOMSDAY, HARVEST FESTIVAL, CHRISTMAS, SAINTS DAYS, DANCING THE MAYPOLE AT THE BEGINNING OF SPRING ETC. What is your perspective on your culture? A LOT OF IT HAS BEEN LOST. FOR INSTANCE, THE PAEGAN RITUALS WHICH INVOLVED WELCOMING IN THE SEASONS, CELEBRATING THE EQUINOXES ETC. THE UK HAS BEEN INUNDATED WITH PEOPLE FROM EUROPE AND SO IT IS VERY SIMILAR TO AUSTTRALIA IN THAT THERE ARE MANY CULTURES LIVING TOGETHER AND THEY ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND A HAPPY BALANCE. A LOT OF THE “ENGLISH CHRISTIAN” TRADITIONS ARE BEING FADED OUT SO AS NOT TO OFFEND THE MUSLIM POPULATION – WHICH I FEEL IS NOT RIGHT. EVERYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PRACTICE THEIR RELIGIONS AND BELIEFS EQUALLY. THIS LEADS TO UNREST AND FIGHTING AMONGST THE PEOPLE. How have you developed your identity around your culture? I DON’T REALLY FEEL I HAVE. I AM DEVELOPING MY IDENTITY IN RELATION TO WHAT I AM LEARNING ABOUT MYSELF HERE IN AUSTRALIA. I GUESS I WILL ALWAYS LIKE A WHITE CHRISTMAS !! What are the limitations of your culture? NOT SURE What are the benefits of your culture? IT IS FLEXIBLE AND I SPEAK ENGLISH Do you speak another language other than English? NOT FLUENTLY. I CAN SPEAK A LITTLE FRENCH, GERMAN, AFRIKAANS, HEBREW AND SPANISH How has your culture impacted on your life experience? ENGLISH PEOPLE ARE VERY RESERVED AND WORRY ABOUT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK OF THEM. THEY USE SARCASM TO COVER UP THEIR SADNESS. I HAVE HAD TO LEARN TO OPEN MY HEART How has your culture impacted on your belief system? I BELIEVED THAT I WASN’T WORTHY BECAUSE I WAS FROM A LOWER CLASS. I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THAT BELIEF TO ATTRACT ABUNDANCE IN MY LIFE How does your culture affect your interaction with others? I HAVE TO CONSCIOUSLY OPEN MY HEART How does your culture affect your interaction with yourself? I REALISE THAT I AM NOT MY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN. I CAN TAKE THE GOOD STUFF, AND DROP THE STUFF THAT IS NO LONGER USEFUL How has becoming a citizen of Australia changed your concept of your culture? I FEEL MORE AFFINITY TO AUSTRALIA. I LOVE VISITING THE UK, BUT I WOULD NOT LIVE THERE ANYMORE. AUSTRALIA NOW FEELS LIKE MY HOME AFTER BECOMING A CITIZEN Describe the Australian cultures? RELAXED. MATESHIP. EVERYONE MUCK IN TOGETHER. PEOPLE STICK BY EACH OTHER. ITS A NEW START. Which culture is more dominant? And why? AUSTRALIAN FOR ME, AS I HAVE CHOSEN FOR THIS TO BE MY HOME. How does your culture affect your interaction with your family? IT DOESN’T REALLY AFFECT IT AT ALL. OUR CULTURES ARE ACTUALLY VERY SIMILAR What is your suggestion for lessening the impact of cultural divide that may occur? I FEEL THAT WE ALL NEED TO START A NEW CULTURE – THE AUSTRALIAN CULTURE. IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT WE HAVE TO LEAVE OUR CULTURE BEHIND, BUT LETS TAKE THE GOOD BITS FROM EVERYONE AND BLEND THEM TO MAKE A NEW ONE !!!!!!!!! YES I KNOW I AM AN IDEALIST! Read More