What Is A Culture?

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Culture – ‘(a) The totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought. (b) These patterns, traits, and products considered as the expression of a particular period, class, community, or population (c) These patterns, traits, and products considered with respect to a particular category, such as a field, subject, or mode of expression: (d) The predominating attitudes and behavior that characterize the functioning of a group or organization.’ (American Heritage Dictionary)

Whether we want to admit it or not, each one of us is acculturated to some extent. Many of us find that hard to believe about ourselves, but nevertheless it is true. We are greatly influenced by our surroundings, its preferences, bias’ and fashions, and all the unspoken notions it has. We are as ‘American’ as the next red-blooded person and pretty darn proud of it at that!

But what about a secondary, or sub-, culture? Are we not just as influenced by that? Do we not allow secondary influences, sub-culture influences, to manipulate our way of thinking and doing things? Should we? How important or unimportant are cultural influences? If they’re of utmost importance then how can we explain the people who aren’t present or influenced by that same culture? If they’re of little importance then why do we afford so much attention to all the idiosyncrasies of our culture?

These questions are all finding their way into my head as I find myself gradually moving away from a sub-culture that has defined all I’ve ever known. As easy as the answers seem to the head, the heart finds itself attached to preferences, ideas, notions and bias’ which are simply cultural. This does not pose any particular problem to the third-person bystander, but to me it causes quite a dilemma. I tend to like things the way I’ve always done them.

Fine, you say, continue doing things the same way. That sounds easy enough, right? Wrong! Wrong for a multiplicity of reasons, not the least of which is that causes confusion among my peers. You see, this leads us directly back to the question of culture’s importance. Those people whom I find myself surrounded by now have little to no understanding of my cultural background. For me to naively assume that my little cultural preferences are the absolute only way to accomplish any given end leads to great confusion as I try to fellowship and cooperate with my given peer group. Also, if cultural preferences are of little importance outside of that particular culture then there’s no inherent reason to impose my bias on my peers.

This is all well, fine and good to realize until………..

I’ve concluded that the litmus test of culture’s influence on my heart lies directly between me and my children. I’m ok to make a few cultural diversions. I’m cool to change a few things in an attempt to better (presumably) my life experience. I’m totally fine to leave a measure of cultural preferences behind, but the idea of my children growing up with little, or no, understanding or appreciation for that same culture that I love so well is a rather bitter pill for me to swallow. By this I’ve concluded that my heart is so acculturated that it is almost beyond hope of purification.

Let me say it a little clearer, I have idolized a culture (sub-culture) to the point that it hurts profusely as I tear it out of my heart. And further, I can hardly bear the thought of my children not seeing this same culture as the second most important thing in their life.

Clearly put, I am an idolator………………………….now, we’re glad each one of you was able to come to this blog, and we have many reasons to be thankful, will one of you please use the liberty put forth and (post a comment).
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