Do you agree with anthropologist, Ruth Benedict that we are “creatures of our culture” and that our habits, beliefs and impossibilities are shaped by our culture? If so, how can we break through the limits of our cultures?
I agree strongly with Ruth Benedict that culture shapes who we are. But I also beleive that we can break the limits to create our own identity. I will use my father as an example. My father came from very conservative familes. Growing up he considered himself politically conservative, based on the way he was raised. On his 18th birthday he registered republican and made his father proud, he did what everyother child in his area did. It was not untill he moved away from his small town in Illinois that things started to change. Now he may be the most liberal man that ever came out of Chatam, Illinois...his family is not too happy with that.
For my father is was when he moved to California (from Illinoise) he was able to experience another culture in California. So even though the culture of the mid-west influenced him greatly experiencing another culture opened up his mond and he saw that their were other ways to view things then just the way he viewed things growing up.
This has lead me to believe that the best way to break cultural limits is to experience other cultures. It opens up your eyes to see things you may not have if you didnt.
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I liked your reply that the best way to break cultural limits is to experience other cultures. The exposure to different cultures does make one mindful. It also lets a person know that there are other options than those that your parents have informed you about. In some aspect it is about acquiring ones own individual identity. I was surprised to see the usage of the Midwest as a culture compared to California. I think this was a great example as well as the usage of your father’s upbringing as a republican and now since the move to California he has become liberal.
ReplyDeletePretty much agree with the other poster as far as the concept of breaking your limitations, is to experience the world and other cultures. We are so stuck on ourselves most of the time, especially in United States that we are quick to judge something without understanding it first.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to that, your father did a great thing; He confined to his father's views, but when he moved away, he was intelligent enough to make his own judgements about the culture he lived in. He didn't jump on a bandwagon because he lived in California, he was just strong enough to have an open mind and follow his own beliefs and views on life.