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Traditional and Nontraditional Culture Paper

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Traditional and Nontraditional Culture Paper
Culture is a daily influence and important to values, beliefs, and behaviors. There are two types of cultural influences. Those cultural influences are labeled as a traditional culture or nontraditional. A traditional culture is influenced by traditions, rules, symbols, and principles. Such influences in a traditional culture are rooted in past influences. Nontraditional cultures are often referred to as modern and are often influential through principles, ideas, and practices (Shiraev & Levy, 2010). To understand the difference between a traditional and nontraditional this paper examines a culture in each classification. The Amish culture consists of values, beliefs, and behaviors that are traditional whereas the American culture is influenced by values, beliefs, and behaviors that are nontraditional. Cultural influences are important to perception and actions taken on a daily basis.
Differences Between Values of the Amish and American Culture
The main difference between the Amish culture and American culture is individualism. America is steeped in an individualist society. Americans take pride in our churches, our children, and our jobs. Whenever there is an achievement, we are taught to seek pride in that achievement. The Amish work together as a community, and are mainly agricultural. Even in dress the Amish are communal. The status is shown through dress, such as marital status and church commitment (O’Neil, 1997). While American’s are plugged into technology to make life easier, the Amish value hard work, and a simpler way of life. The Amish view labor as part of a sacrament to God, and all Amish are born into a strong work ethic. They believe it is the obligation of each individual to be productive. Idleness and wasting time are condemned. Speech is simple and strait forward. Simplicity in following the teaching of Christianity without the tall buildings, and organized religious practices held outside the home. Church is held inside the homes of the community. The vows taken during baptism are taken seriously, and youth are encouraged to visit the outside world until these vows are taken (O’Neil, 1997).
The secular world could damage the spirituality that is sacred to the Amish. Social networking websites, music, and electricity are not seen as evil by the Amish, but as information that could threaten the spirituality of the community (O’Neil, 1997). American’s seek guidance and aid by their government, while Amish seek to be self-sufficient. They govern their own schools, and produce their own food. They function as a community taking care of their own. They see youth, and the elderly, as a community responsibility. Activities encompass all age groups solidifying the community.
Many Americans have a dependence on the state, government, or church to make many of their decisions. In America’s individualistic society it is easy to forget the value of hard work, community, and spirituality. However, some American’s are learning how to be self-sufficient by growing their own food, and making their own products. The values of the Amish may seem old fashioned, and simple. However, these values keep this community close for hundreds of years.
Differences Between Beliefs of the Amish and American Culture
Those who participate in the Amish culture believe themselves to be isolated from the general culture and at constant conflict with those who do not participate in the Amish culture (O’Neil, 1997). The Amish take their separation very seriously to maintain the purity and in some cases have even banned individuals from the group to ensure the integrity of the Amish society as a whole (O’Neil, 1997). The Amish have minimal communication with individual that are not within their society; only marrying others within the Amish community, and even do their best to remain self-sufficient by raising their own animals to maintain their own food supply as opposed to grocery shopping in a supermarket (O’Neil, 1997). In addition to this, the Amish do their best to live off the land and some Amish groups choose to continue living without modern conveniences such as electricity and vehicles. The Amish also participate in baptism and require it to enter the church. It is not the social norm for Americans to isolate themselves from other religious or cultural groups; Americans are brought up to be more socially accepting of other cultures and religions. In addition to this, the average American does not follow religion as closely as the Amish and therefore baptism is not something that the church requires to be considered a believer, participate in the religion, or attend church services. Finally, Americans are not considered to be self-sufficient in the aspect that the Amish are; Americans depend on grocery stores and super stores to obtain food, clothing, and other necessities. In addition to this, Americans rely on other companies and organizations to supply heat and electricity, also.
Differences Between Behaviors of the Amish and American Culture
Traditional Amish cultures are rooted in deep traditions, ceremonies, and boundaries that lead to very unique behaviors. These behaviors are almost the opposite of most American behaviors. Studies have shown that in one area that houses an Amish community, the Amish population regularly walks more steps and does more physical activity than its American counterpart living in the same area (Katz, 2012). The study was done to explain why Amish populations have lower instances of cancer than the general American population (Katz, 2012).
A different study, done to study the economics of Amish communities suggests that some differences in behaviors between Amish and American culture can clarify how the Amish culture has survived with so few changes for so long. The study concludes that the lack of contact with outside culture and prominent boundaries for behaviors have had a major impact on behaviors and the overall Amish culture. The isolation, which includes not only physical isolation, but technological isolation, leads to Amish individuals following the only examples of behavior that is available, other Amish. This continues behaviors, such as the hard work ethic and the unchanging behaviors from generation to generation (O’Neil, 1997). Conversely, Americans are exposed to national global trends and cultures. These trends and cultures are spread through technology quicker than ever before in history. The quickness of this information being available changes American behaviors. From generation to generation, behaviors change. For example, two generations ago, women were not as prevalent in universities as they are in the current culture. These differences can have an effect on health and advances within the culture. American culture continues to evolve and change, while Amish culture still has similar behaviors to the generations that have come before.
Conclusion
There are differences in cultures, but there are also differences in whether the culture is traditional or nontraditional. Traditional cultures often follow a consistency and carry values, beliefs, and behaviors in that culture from the past. Nontraditional cultures are considered modern. Values are important to determine important and influence actions. Values also aid in cohesion which can be seen in the interactions within the Amish culture compared to the American culture. Beliefs and behaviors in the Amish culture focus on the group whereas the American culture focuses on individualism and individual choices. The values, beliefs, and behavior in the Amish culture are rooted in the past. The American culture changes. There is a difference in free-will. Although both cultures are different, each impact an individual’s perception and the choices made.

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