Defining Culture & Diversity

For this week’s assignment we were to ask 3 family/friends/coworkers/etc their definition of culture and diversity.  Each individual I asked ranged in difference, such as gender, socioeconomical status, and religion.  The 3 individuals responded as followed;

Aunt Jean- upper-class socioeconomic status:

Culture- the details of how a family lives their life; behaviors, life-style choices, religion, traditions, and more.

Diversity- the differences among people of things.

Uncle Veru- Male, upper-class socioeconomic status, and Hindu belief:

Culture- the way a group of people function together, communicate together, their belief, their practices, rituals, and other aspects of their life are similar in routine

Diversity- different characteristics people have from one another, such as skin color, belief and religion, language, and more.

Ovelle (Granny)- 90-year-old woman, upper-middle class socioeconomic status.

Culture- the way a number of people, joined together share a gross amount of similarities.  Impacting society through their behaviors, beliefs, knowledge, rituals, traditions, and so forth through generations and generations.  Means of survival that have been established before my time, and on.

Diversity- the difference of factors such as demographics, culture, belief and religion, education, class, and more that are found through many groups of people.

After reflecting on the answers I received from my family, I was able to grasp that each person had very similar definition to the terms culture and diversity.  The individuals I inquired information from ranged in diversity compared to my personal life.  Similarities do exist, but also do differences.  It seems they only defined the aspects of culture that many already assume or can see on the surface.  The fact that culture is imbedded in us from the experiences we encounter from the environment and the people that surrounding It, beginning at birth.  The description that the individuals used to define culture were aspects addressed in this week’s resources.  For example communication exist between culture, whether it is English, Spanish, French, or another.  The language contributes to one’s self-identity, self-esteem, and more.  The beliefs one practices or philosophy one believes.  “The process of developing a sense of self is a process of connecting an individual’s personal identity to their social identity” (Smidt, 2013, p.106).  Diversity is indeed referred to the numerous differences individuals and groups display.  Whether it is the location of ones home, their socioeconomical status, educational level, career choice, religion, sex, and more.  We are a nation full of color and experience that is truly rewarding if we focus on the positive impacts diversity has.  What a boring world if we all were the same.  “In a society as diverse as ours, maneuvering through its multiple cultures can be complex and confusing, as well as rich and delightful” (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010, p. 55). 

After receiving the responses from my family on the terms of culture and diversity, I feel they defined culture and diversity as most would.  In their response we can see that they presented the facts that most can see referring to those topics.  There are many factors that contribute to the term culture.  It is an extremely larger term.  The word itself may only have 7 letters, but its definition is enormous.  Culture is an order or rules that an individual and group that governs one’s life choices, actions, behaviors, and more.  The facts that were omitted from the definitions is the fact of how culture has adapted over the ethos.  During the dynamic changes in culture, many hardships were presented.  For example, in the past some cultures only allowed men to have voices, and currently women are allowed to stand-up in some cultures.  Some cultures still bare the struggle with power in society.  “Social dominance theory claims that societies are structured as group-based hierarchies out of which group conflict and oppression (e.g., racism, sexism, nationalism) arise” (Purdie-Vaughns & Eibach, 2008, p. 379).  With such a broad term or topic it can be difficult for them to understand unless they truly dive into the many facets that run into culture. 

When I reflect on the opinions or thoughts of others in references to culture and diversity, I remain open-minded, as it is a very complex term to understand.  Many individuals focus on their central unit or family, especially if they are from the dominant culture.  Which is ultimately in power of society, so things seem to flow normal for them.  It is the cultures that are not of dominance that take the greatest impact or greater sacrifices.  For example, language is a form of identity.  Language is rooted in the numerous cultures around the world.  If a family, of a minority culture is located around a gross amount of dominant culture, they can feel a bit lost.  As the children enter school systems controlled by the dominant culture, the child may have to forfeit their native language at school.  This can create conflict in several means.  The reality is I am very open-minded to say.  Not saying I am aware of the many factors contributing to the diverse cultures amongst us, but open enough to not cast judgement.  My philosophy in life is we all are created by the hands of the Omnipotent, Omniscience, and Omnipresence, it is not my place to understand everything.  I may not agree with someone, but that is the part of every individual being created uniquely, in their own identity.  I think we all would focus more on what we have to offer others, and how to help others, instead of how different we are.  We would see a greater tomorrow.  I challenge everyone to revisit their philosophy and their views of others. 

References

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children         (NAEYC).

Purdie-Vaughns, V., & Eibach, R. (2008). Intersectional invisibility: Distinctive advantages and disadvantages of multiple subordinate-group identities. Sex Roles (59). 377-391.

Smidt, S. (2006). The developing child in the 21st century: A global perspective on child  development. New York, NY: Routledge.