Culture refers to beliefs, norms, values and language encompassed together to form a people’s way of life. Also, culture includes learned or acquired behaviors, stories we tell and art and fashion among others. These human elements combined affect what people own, how people think, and how they act in a given society. Culture is a crucial part of every human being as it influences a person’s life in various ways including fears, worries, and views. Additionally, it provides individuals with a sense of belonging, purpose, and identity; in addition, it helps connect communities through non-material and material goods. People can easily interact with others who share the same values and beliefs. A society cannot exist and function normally in the absence of culture. Essentially, due to the fact that culture governs behavior, values, and norms; there are expected standards that people should adhere to in a particular society as stipulated by their culture. Both culture and society cannot exist without the other as they are closely related and complement each other. People together form a society and create a culture; on the other hand, culture determines the way these people understand the world around them and shapes the way they interact. An important aspect of culture is that it changes with time and varies with the physical setting.
In a society, culture provides knowledge which is essential to enhance the adaptability of man in his environment. In addition, culture plays a significant role in determining our attitudes, careers and behavior patterns. When faced with complicated situations, it provides solutions as there are social requirements that people should conform to in society. Through the set of rules outlined in a particular community, individuals are given a vision that requires co-operation with such rules. Failure to adhere to the expected norms, information is provided on the consequences faced. The skills acquired through cultural elements are transferred from generation to generation to ensure its preservation in a given society. Irrespective of the place or people involved, culture has an intrinsic value in the development of a community depending on what they consider a priority (Norcross, Smith, Rodríguez, 2011). Therefore, placing culture as guidelines to establishing strategies under any circumstance in the condition for success. Culture is a powerful driving force and enables achievement if considered as the heart of the various activities undertaken in society.
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Cultures differ from one community to the other although there are common elements shared across all cultures. For instance, while a family unit is a universal cultural aspect, how it is defined and how it functions vary in each society. Experts have argued that the cultural universals address basic human survival such as food, clothing, and shelter. Cultural differences are prevalent in almost every community ranging from language to lifestyle. It is of the essence to recognize that cultures change over time in any given society (Norcross, Smith, Rodríguez, 2011). However, these changes are controlled by people who belong to that culture and are necessary due to the constantly changing world. Moreover, in the contemporary society, people from various cultures are increasingly interacting with each other, especially in the main urban towns. As a result, people are embracing cultural diversity in our daily lives with each culture respecting each other’s differences. In order to survive in a hostile and dynamic environment as a species, culture should be present in any given situation. Society and culture are the main pillars of sociology as it relied upon by humankind to transmit values and behavior from one generation to the next.
Work Cited
Norcross, J. C., Smith, T. B., Rodríguez, M. D., & Bernal, G. (February 23, 2011). Culture. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 67, 2, 166-175.
