Week 1 Human Variation PDF

Understanding Culture Society and Politics Human Variation Culture Society Politics Objectives Identifying the human cultural variation, social differences, social changes and political identities. Articulate observations on human cultural variation, social differences a...

Understanding Culture Society and Politics Human Variation Culture Society Politics Objectives Identifying the human cultural variation, social differences, social changes and political identities. Articulate observations on human cultural variation, social differences and political identities. Adopt open and develop critical attitudes toward different social, political, and cultural phenomena through observation and reflection.  WHAT IS CULTURAL VARIATION?  Cultural Variation The variation in human conditions promotes diversity and plurality in cultural traditions. This could lead to discrimination and ostracism. Example: Dress style Philippines Thailand  Example: Dances Philippines Malaysians ETHNOCENTRISM is perspective that promotes an individual’s culture as the most efficient and superior hence the individual who exhibit ethnocentrism feels that his or her culture is the most appropriate as compared to other cultures.  Cultural Relativism promotes the perspective that cultures must be understood in the context of their locality. Using this perspective makes you tolerant of the differing attitudes and practices of others. NATIONALITY AND ETHNICITY  Nationality - is the identity that is tied to being part of a nation or country – a ‘’group of people who share the same history, traditions and language’’ and who inhabits in a particular territory delineated by a political border and controlled by the government.  Ethnic Groups w ithin the nation these are the smaller cultural groups that share specific environments, traditions and histories that are not necessarily subscribed by the mainstream culture. (example: Cebuano, ilokano, tagalog etc.) SOCIAL DIFFERENCES The differences among the individuals based on social characteristics and qualities. Example: Gender, age, sexual orientation SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS It refers to the category of persons who have more or less the same socio-economic privileges. (Higher class, middle class, lower class)  refers to the socially GENDER constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women.  SEX - biological characteristics of human such as male or female. TYPES OF GENDER  A. Heterosexual a person w ith this gender is inclined to be sexually attracted to a person of the opposite sex. B. Homosexual a person that is sexually attracted to the same sex.  Homosexual Gay - a man who is emotionally, romantically, sexually attracted to other men Lesbian - a woman who is emotionally, romantically, sexually attracted to other women. C. Bisexual a person who is emotionally, romantically, sexually attracted to two sexes.  D. Asexual totally incapable of being attracted to any sex. E. Polysexual attracted to multiple types of gender identity.  F. Pansexual accommodat es all types of gender. G. Queer/Questioning An individual who is unsure of and/or exploring their gender identity and/or sexual orientation  H. Transgender There are people whose gender identities do not match on their biological identity as male or female.  I. Transexual A person who emotionally and psychologically feels that they belong to the opposite sex. POLITICAL IDENTITY refers to the set of attitudes and practices that an individual adheres to in relation to the political systems and actors w ithin his or her society. Thank you!