By studying other cultures we increase our understanding of our own culture.

By studying other cultures we increase our understanding of our own culture.

9:40-10:10

Culture is an essential part of any society and has evolved over several centuries from ancient civilizations. Culture is comprised of a society’s set of shared values, goals and practices. Culture is a dynamic concept that allows for a change due to different factors, such as the need to adapt to the environment and the exposure to other cultures. Developing an understanding for other cultures is essential in adapting to a global world where we increasingly need to interact with people of different backgrounds. In the process of learning about others, we increase our understanding of our own culture but there are times when we don’t.

First consider a situation in which studying cultures might not increase understanding one’s own culture. For example, in many autocratic governments such as kleptocracies and dictatorships culture is severely restricted. This is primarily implicated by the government to prevent outside influence or cultural diffusion. For instance, in many Arab countries such as the UAE or Pakistan there are many strict rules that are laid out by the Islam’s holy Koran and enforced by the ruling class in varying degrees. There are many restrictions for women in particular. Women are expected to give into the demands of a man in any situation and should dress from head to toe completely covered. Also, there are many curfews and restrictions for women and minorities that prevent people from coming out at certain times of the day. Also the freedom of speech is also limited in these societies. So by studying cultures that are governed by dictators or a ruling class it doesn’t help us understand our own culture in the western world because it is very different from western ideologies. Therefore, studying cultures in governments that differ significantly from one’s own culture may create unnecessary fear or anxiety that cultural diffusion may harm pre-existing values or practices.

Next consider, situations in which studying other cultures might increase understanding one’s own culture. For instance, a person in the United States might be studying another democratic nation such as India will benefit from gaining insight into their own culture. Take for example in India, freedom of speech is present just like in the United States but with slight variations due the infused culture. In public gathering it is not acceptable to hang out with the opposite sex without prior consent from parents or a marriage council. If one does hangout with the opposite sex it will cause unexpected rumors amongst family and friends which creates more harm than good. Also, in India with the spread of globalization and western culture it is fairly easy to relate to in terms of social life with some exceptions. Due the expansion of the IT sector from outsourcing there are hardly any strict rules in the workplace for conduct. For example, a person can flirt with a coworker and not get in trouble because it is a social norm. Likewise, it is very common for people of the same sex to hold hands in public but in the US it is not considered normal. Another example is the education system in India. In the public sector especially in schools and government jobs there is often a 6 day work week. Also, it is expected of students to respect their elders and teachers or severe penalties are bound. This is put in place in India to maintain order and give value to hard work. Whereas in the US, it is not expected for people to be restricted to hang out with the opposite sex, have 6 day workweeks or show respect to the elderly. So by studying Indian culture it gives insight as well as appreciation to the degree of freedom of expression and speech that is in the US. The rules in the US are not as strict as that of India.

In all, studying cultures can increase understanding of one’s own culture to a limited degree and is circumstantial. It does not help a person in a democractic country to study a culture in a dictatorship or kleprocracy because they have different ideologies than democracies. Thus it will create unwanted fear or insecurity. On the other hand, studying other democratic countries will help compare the similarities and differences in rights such as freedom of speech/expression. Thus like will match with like.