Globalisation's Influence on Identity PDF

Globalisation’s Influence on Individual and Social/Cultural Identities: Cultural Defence: Cultural defence is when people try to protect their traditions and culture because they feel it’s being threatened by things like globalisation. For example, think about when people fig...

Globalisation’s Influence on Individual and Social/Cultural Identities: Cultural Defence: Cultural defence is when people try to protect their traditions and culture because they feel it’s being threatened by things like globalisation. For example, think about when people fight to keep their language alive because other popular languages (like English) are taking over. Sociologist Samuel Huntington talked about this in his "Clash of Civilizations" idea. He said that globalisation can make cultures feel like they’re at risk, so people try harder to defend their traditions. Imagine if your favorite local dish was disappearing because everyone started eating the same fast food—people might protest or celebrate festivals to keep their culture strong. Hybrid Identities: Hybrid identities happen when people mix parts of different cultures to create something new. For example, someone might wear traditional clothes but also use social media slang from another country. Sociologist Stuart Hall explained that in a globalised world, people’s identities are like a mix of their roots and the new things they learn from other cultures. It’s like mixing your favorite foods from different countries to create a new dish— your identity becomes a mix of different influences. The Homogenisation of Identities: This means that people around the world start to look and act more alike because of globalisation. For example, everyone might start wearing the same brands, watching the same movies, or using the same apps. Sociologist George Ritzer called this the "McDonaldization" of society—where everything becomes similar, like fast food chains that look the same no matter where you go. Imagine if every country’s playgrounds only had the same toys—that might make things less unique and fun. Positive and Negative Impacts on Identity: Cultural Diversity: Cultural diversity is when different cultures exist and are celebrated together in the same place. A positive side is that you can learn about and enjoy other traditions, like food and festivals. However, sociologist Zygmunt Bauman said it can sometimes lead to tension if people don’t understand or accept each other’s differences. Think of a school with kids from all over the world—this can be exciting but also challenging if people don’t respect each other’s cultures. Multiculturalism: Multiculturalism is when societies encourage different cultures to live together peacefully. Sociologist Bhikhu Parekh said it’s important to recognise and respect all cultures equally. A good part of this is that it makes societies richer and more vibrant. But it can also be hard if people feel their own culture is being overlooked. Imagine if your school celebrated everyone’s holidays equally—it’s fun, but everyone needs to feel included. Global Culture: Global culture is when people all over the world share similar ways of living, like music, fashion, or technology. A positive side is that it connects people, like fans of the same video game from different countries. Sociologist Anthony Giddens explained that global culture can make us more connected but can also weaken local traditions. It’s like having the same popular TV shows everywhere—it’s cool to share, but you might miss out on local stories.