Every human being in the world emanates from a community of people that follows a particular culture. Culture can be defined as a particular set of rules and guidelines that determine values, perceptions, attitudes, and practices (Williams, 2014). For this exercise, I selected two interviewees based on specific criteria. Each of the two individuals must have emanated from two different cultures. The age difference was a key attribute to ensure that the insights collected provide diverse information regarding the respective cultures. I also considered gender differences to ensure that I receive information from masculine and feminine points of view. Each of the interviewees must have at least attained a minimum of high school education. I considered this criterion to ensure that the persons are eloquent and knowledgeable about various aspects of the culture. The main aim of this interview was to accumulate as much information as possible to compare and contrast beliefs and practices from two different cultures.
Summary
On the question of the family and gender roles, the interviewee noted that they strictly adhered to patriarchal roles. The father holds the position of the head of the family. However, family decisions are arrived at through consensus. As regards family goals, most of the objectives identified can universally apply to any other culture. For instance, the culture values the importance of education and the value of educating the child to become a critical societal member. Marriage and family remain a fundamental aspect of the interviewee's life. Alternative lifestyles are well supported in the identified culture. The people in the interviewed community are liberal and therefore show openness to living together before marriage, domestic partnerships, and single parenting, among others. The interviewee subscribes to Christianity as his religion, and this has not changed throughout his life.
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Regarding death, the predominant belief is that end of life is a scriptural manifestation and an opportunity to live a life elsewhere as a spirit. The most preferred means of communication in the culture is verbal. On the matter of customs and taboos, one interviewee said that they do not have any provisions to that effect. On the contrary, the other respondent agreed that they have particular practices and rituals, especially surrounding birth and death. On the question of values that determine culture, both responses gave more or less similar responses, including honesty, integrity, and a communal sense of sharing. It was apparent that each culture had minimum attributes and behaviors that they expected from individuals. The last question that the interview sought to answer was the source of morality. Also, similar responses came out of this question. Each of the interviewees pointed out to their religions and Holy Books as the main point of reference when it comes to morality.
Compare and Contrast
Before comparing the two cultures as painted by the interviewees, several concepts come into play. The two interviewees have demonstrated culture specificity in their responses. Culture specificity occurs in situations where individuals are determined to demonstrate a sense of fidelity to their cultural provisions and practices (Erickson, 2016). The primary cultural elements where differences were witnessed include religion, gender roles, and spiritual beliefs surrounding death and dying. The first interviewer subscribes to Christianity. As a Christian, he is obliged to follow in the footsteps of the Biblical teachings. However, the other interviewee was a Muslim. In her responses, religion was a fundamental aspect of her life. Every decision made was in light of the teachings of the Quran. Based on the responses, it is safe to conclude that religion as a cultural tenet shapes attitudes, beliefs, and practices. In both religions, the position of the father was maintained as the head of the family.
Christians believe that death is a Biblical fulfillment, as illustrated by the interviewee. After death, the body changes to the soul in readiness for the judgment day. The righteous go to heaven while the sinful proceed to hell. According to the Muslim interviewee, death for him was a termination of worldly lifestyle and the ushering in of the afterlife. It is through death that the soul of a person is separated from the body. Regardless of these differences, sentiments regarding the role of the family and education remain critical. Both cultures respect the importance of institutions such as family and marriage. Education is also considered a vital aspect of human life. The goal of education is to mold people to become useful and responsible citizens. Culture is learned subconsciously as people grow within their community setting (Hjarvard, 2013). Continuous engagement with parents and extended family members creates an in-group upon which people share values.
Reflection
As previously indicated, family roles in each case are more or less similar. The father is regarded as the head of the family while the women manage domestic issues. The family roles are responsible for the cultural domains and relationships that manifest in society. For the first interviewee, the father is regarded as the pinnacle of the family. However, decisions are determined with a specific degree of consensus. Despite the patriarchal nature, unity is created as the opinion of every person counts. The mother and children form a fundamental part of the goals and objectives of the family. In the second interviewee, the position of the father is equated to provision and catering to the breadwinning roles of the family. Therefore, the mother is allowed to take care of domestic issues such as childbearing. However, this could lead to a particular disconnect and perception of inferiority on the women hence the emerging family disconnect.
References
Erickson, M. (2016). Science, culture and society: Understanding science in the 21st century. John Wiley & Sons.
Hjarvard, S. (2013). The mediatization of culture and society. Routledge.
Williams, R. (2014). Keywords: A vocabulary of culture and society. Oxford University Press.
