Why do people in China eat rats, but in the United States they poison them? Thumbs up in most countries signify satisfaction or approval, but in West Africa and South America, it is an offence. In Russia, giving someone even numbers of flowers as a gift is seen as inviting death. A dozen roses or six beautiful tulips are only given at funerals. As long as we could imagine, clear borders have always been marked between countries, states, cities and villages. However, the spread of culture has never been confined to these territories. Culture, is the glue that binds groups, without it people would have difficulty living together. Rogers and Steinfatt (1999), defines culture as, “the total way of life of a people, composed of their learned and …show more content…
According to this theory, people inhabit a world that is largely socially constructed. In particular, the meaning of objects, events and behaviours come from the interpretation people give them and the interpretations may vary from one group to another. Therefore, in relation to this theory, individuals may agree with the notion that giving a child a spanking or licks is a good form of discipline. However, there are those who may perceive this as a form of abuse, hurting the individual rather than educating them, if not familiar with the culture. On the other hand, due to the culture I was raised, if I see a disobedient child, maybe screaming to top of their lungs in the grocery store because they want an item that they cannot have, the first thought that would come to mind is that child need a good licking or slap. On a global perspective, I think that corporal punishment should be in schools, because it is a good way to keep a child in the right direction. It is not the only way but a good method if given the chance. Granny would say, “You have to burn to …show more content…
Whether called maxims, idioms, expressions, or sayings, proverbs are small packages of truth, which, are about people’s value and beliefs. These Proverbs, can be communicated in colourful, vivid language, and with very few words reflect the wisdom, biases, and even superstition of a culture. (Porter, Samovar 2003) “When granny says spear the rod and spoil the child”, or a superstition such as “wearing a black dot on your forehead to ward off an evil eye”, contains some sort of lesson or value to be learnt. Living our lives by these superstitions however, in my opinion is inhibiting our behaviour and life. It is encouraging us to hold on to fear, that is somewhat built into our brain because of how these sayings have become so conventional. At times therefore, learning the perceptions, rules, and behaviours of cultural membership usually go on without you, even being aware of it. In relation to the looking glass theory by Cooley, other people may view these superstitions as silly and has no substance. Therefore, if people tend to see it in that way, then you would eventually question yourself, am I really following into something that is pointless or is it