The Deep Structure of Culture: Roots of Reality

The Deep Structure of Culture:Roots of Reality Book 1, Ch. 2 To forget one’s ancestors is to be a brook without a source, A tree without a root (Chinese proverb)

Culture’s deep structure • Family • State (Community) • Worldview (religion)

Deep structure institutions supply much of our identity • We learn our identities – who we are – through socialization; socialization takes place within a cultural context • We move from “I” identity to “WE” identity; means an individual brings group’s identity with him • People define themselves in terms of ancestry, religion, language, history, values, customs and institutions

FAMILY (father mother I love you) • If you know the family, you do not need to know the individual (CHN) • The proverbs • The apple does not fall far from the tree(CHN) • Buahjatuhtidakjauhdaripohon (IND) • Family is where people get their start in life • Family teaches you culture and provides the foundation of your self-concept and communication competencies

Forms of family • 2 families: • Family where someone was born • Family that is formed when they take a mate • 2 types: • Nuclear • Extended

Function of family • Family transmits important culture values • Children learn their culture from their parents; parents teach the norms and communication rules that guide behavior in their cultures • Family transmits identity • Before becoming our selves, we are the children of X family. Family gives children knowledge about their historical background, specific behavior, customs, traditions, language associate to their culture • Family transmits communication proficiencies • Family is the 1st that introduce the language and how to communicate

GENDER ROLES • Parents are prominently affect our gender identities • Masculine vs. Feminine culture • In Asia: males are primarily responsible for task function; females attend to social and cultural task • In Mexico: Father is authority figure; decision maker, the family members look him for guidance and strength. His present is replaced with oldest son • In India: Son guarantees the continuation of the generation; ensures a peaceful departure of the soul. Putra/son = he who protects from going to hell • In Koran addresses men only; wives should obey their husbands

INDIVIDUALISM vs COLLECTIVISM • Individualism in family • Focus on nuclear family • Independence is expected & valued, self-actualization is encouraged • Child is encouraged to leave the nest • E.g. American; European • Collectivism in family • Focus on extended family • Children are socialized to be conscious of what others think of them and are expected to act so as to get the most out of approval of others while trying to avoid disapproval • E.g. Chinese, Arab

AGE • Age and gender the only universal factors that determine a person’s position in a society • Respect the elderly in most of Asian countries • Arab, the younger one kisses the hand of the older one

SOCIAL SKILLS • A family is a primary group of living in one household that is expected to socialize children • Is the most basic of all human groups • Great teacher of symbol and rules of meaning that are the foundation of social life • Teaches children to integrate into the community • In US, children are encouraged to talk whatever they wish since the early age. The parents tend to respect their children’s opinion and encourage the children to express themselves verbally

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The Deep Structure of Culture: Roots of Reality