Culture
Culture is a complex concept whose meaning is concrete, but whose definition poses a significant headache to sociologists. For instance, between 1920 and 1950, scholars constructed more than one hundred and fifty-seven definitions of the term (Johnson, 2013). The contest around the definition of culture could be attributed to the continuous evolution and transformation it has experienced for the past couple of centuries. Perhaps the simplest explanation which captures most of what culture entails is Tyler’s version. The British anthropologist defined culture as ‘that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society’ (Spencer-Oatey, 2012). Culture, therefore, acquires meaning only when it is linked with an individual’s behaviour within a larger society.
Culture and sociology are two intertwined concepts as both concepts deal with humans and their unique characteristics. Wright Mills describes sociology as a factor that ‘connects biography and history’ meaning that it connects individuals to the broader social context in which they find themselves. Culture, on the other hand, defines larger structural forces and how people perceive those forces (Kimmel, n.d.). One might, therefore, argue that the link between culture and sociology is that sociology provides an insight into the fundamental behaviour of people, which is determined by their culture.
The relationship between culture and people is a straightforward link. Culture defines the values that people find either appropriate or otherwise, the parameter against which right and wrong are measured (Kimmel, n.d.). A critical point about culture and people is the difference occurring in the practice of cultural beliefs and norms. What one culture considers normal might be prohibited in another culture. For instance, kissing is a fairly common practice among most cultures but was unheard of in Japan until reasonably recently. Moreover, the Japanese language did not have a word for the act until they created kissu, a variant derived from the English word ‘kiss’ (“Culture and Society,” 2012). The fact that some people accept things which others find uncomfortable is the crux of culture. Its richness exists in diversity.
Coping with culture demands an understanding of other people’s beliefs, norms, and values. For instance, younger generations of Japanese accept kissing since they understand the culture of Europeans who find kissing acceptable. They, therefore, react better than previous generations who found kissing undesirable. From the example given, one notices that some habits are culture-specific. A recap of the meaning of society becomes essential in explaining the culture-specific differences between any two groups. Society refers to a group of people who live in a defined territory and who share a culture (“Culture and Society,” 2012). Thus, individuals from another region must appreciate the values and norms of another group if they are to achieve intercultural understanding.
The choice of culture as a topic of discussion is informed by the confusion surrounding the concept. For centuries, scholars have struggled to create an all-encompassing definition for the term due to its consistent transformation and different meanings it assumes in distinct contexts. For instance, a group of ethnically related individuals might claim to be a culture. Similarly, people sharing the same interests, say, work colleagues might have similar claims. The two contexts are different, yet each group has an underlying characteristic that brings each member closer to one another.
Culture is one of the most intriguing aspects of human life. All human societies have a unique identity enshrined in their lifestyles, and few topics generate as much insight as a study of culture. Studying culture is a critical asset not only in understanding certain behaviours but also in creating conducive environments for identified cultural groups. Berkvens (2017) argues that setting up education infrastructure for a country requires one to develop an accurate understanding of the country’s culture, failure to which the project bear be unsuccessful. Moreover, disregard of a country’s customs when intervening in critical services like education might lead to low outcomes, unmotivated teachers, and, consequently, students who are ill-prepared to face the society in which they live. Cultural understanding, therefore, plays a critical role in determining the success of specific projects.
The importance of culture in a student’s life cannot be overstated. A fair grasp of the differences between oneself and others in a classroom or workplace allows one to act accordingly to avoid unnecessary conflicts. For example, if a colleague appears superstitious, trying to impose logic would lead to conflict.
Culture defines a people and as such, is the identity of every human social group. The link between sociology and culture is such that one defines the other. Sociology is the study of human relationships, and those relationships are defined in part by culture. The two are inseparable terms which both give insight into social life. The importance of cultural understanding is demonstrated by the volume of research conducted on the topic. With hundreds of attempted definitions, the subject qualifies as one of the most critical in human discourse. Understanding other people’s culture helps not only in nurturing better rapport but also in creating mutually beneficial relationships.
References
Kimmel, M., (n.d). Culture and Society. Cabrillo.edu. Retrieved 23 May 2020, from http://www.cabrillo.edu/~lroberts/Culture&Society.Kimmel.pdf.
Spencer-Oatey, H. (2012) What is culture? A compilation of quotations. GlobalPAD Core Concepts. Available at GlobalPAD Open House http://www.warwick.ac.uk/globalpadintercultural
Johnson, Matthew. (2013). What Is Culture? What Does It Do? What Should It Do?. 10.1057/9781137313799_5.
Culture and Society. 2012books.lardbucket.org. (2012). Retrieved 23 May 2020, from https://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/sociology-brief-edition-v1.0/s05-culture-and-society.html.
Berkvens, Jan. (2017). The Importance of Understanding Culture When Improving Education: Learning from Cambodia. International Education Studies. 10. 161. 10.5539/ies.v10n9p161.