Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics Review (PDF)

UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY AND POLITICS REVIEW... Week 3 Prepared by: Judith D.V. Macario D R __ __ __ L __ E __ N __ E __A L__ E A __ __ __ R __ N __ E __...

UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY AND POLITICS REVIEW... Week 3 Prepared by: Judith D.V. Macario D R __ __ __ L __ E __ N __ E __A L__ E A __ __ __ R __ N __ E __ D M R N __ __ S __ __ __ O N__ O R __ __ __ M __ S A __ O S __ __ __ L __ C __I S O __ __ __ C __ I __ A __ L R D __ __ __ E __ H __ S __A S __ H A __ __ __ R __ E __ D G __ A G __ __ __ L __ E __ N __ G __U L__ A__ N G __ __ __ U __ A __ G __E  Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism Explain the importance of cultural relativism in attaining cultural understanding. (UCSP11/12SPU-Ic-3) Week 3 Prepared by: Judith D.V. Macario Ethnocentrism Ethnocentrism is judging another culture based upon the values and standards set in one’s own culture. It is a form of bias, where we tend to immediately judge another culture as 'bad' or 'wrong' based upon their actions, if their values are not aligned with our own beliefs. Ethnocentrism is the view that one particular ethnic group is somehow superior to all others. Examples of Ethnocentrism 1. Discrimination plays a direct role in the ethnocentric belief.  During the exploration period the discrimination against blacks by whites was a major controversial issue. In England many believed that the darker a person is the "dirtier and impure" they are. Some people believed that some races were not even races. Instead they were considered animals and not humans.  2. Terrorism and hate crimes Terrorism and hate crimes take place when one religion or community believes that it is superior, and better than any other religion or community. 3. Business A business owner might yell at his foreign employees and call them stupid because of their different races, cultures, or values that are different from the boss’. 4. Colonialism Colonialism is a practice or policy of control by one people or power over other people or areas, often by establishing colonies and generally with the aim of economic dominance. 5. Consumer Ethnocentrism Consumer ethnocentrism is observed in those consumers who judge others buying imported goods instead of nationally or locally― produced goods. Cultural Relativism Cultural relativism refers to not judging a culture to our own standards of what is right or wrong, strange or normal. Instead, we should try to understand cultural practices of other groups in its own cultural context. Cultural relativism is the principle that an individual person's beliefs and activities should be understood by others in terms of that individual's own culture. Example: Ethnocentrism Cultural relativism  Example: Culture- religion  Example: Breakfast  Example: Birth control  Example: Gender Equality  CaseStudy 1996, a 17 year old girl from Togo a West African country arrived in the US and asked for asylum to avoid “excision”, a practice referred to as “female circumcision” or “female genital mutilation”. According to the WHO, the practice is widespread in 26 African countries and 2 million girls are excised each year. Reaction in the New York Times, encouraged the idea that excision was a barbaric practice and should be condemned. Young girls often look forward to this because it a acceptance into adulthood. It is an accepted practice in many villages. Consequences of excision: painful, results in permanent loss of sexual pleasure, hemorrhage, tetanus, septicemia, death, chronic infections, hinder walking, chronic pain Apparent no social benefits, not a matter of religious beliefs Who or what decides whether an act is morally right or wrong? If one culture behaves in a particular act, does it mean that all cultures can behave the same way? Discuss further. Culture decides rightness and wrongness of one’s conduct GENERALIZATION: Ethnocentrism – the tendency to assume that one’s own culture and way of life represent the norm or are superior to allothers. Cultural Relativism – the viewing of people’s behavior from the perspective of their own culture. End of discussion.. Thank you!