Marianna Notaro Culture (material and nonmaterial) differs from one location to the other based on differences in ideology. For example, the powerpoint mentioned an example of a “chair.” The meaning and purpose behind a chair can be very different depending on the culture. A culture that is more agricultural may be self-sustainable whereas most people in America purchase their foods from a grocery store. Food and the way we prepare it may be completely different from how people gather and eat foods in Africa. In Ethiopia, people eat meals with their hands whereas, in America, people eat with utensils. Looking at this example with a relative point of view, if eating with our hands was viewed as normal through socialization, we, too, would eat
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A major reason, I think, is due to socialization and what people believe to be normal. For instance, people, in Europe, are encouraged to take a break during the workday. Often many businesses close during the day to accommodate for this break. In Spain, these breaks are called “siestas,” and it is a time during the day when everyone takes a break and relaxes. If someone at an office, in America, decided to leave everyday, go home, and take a nap after lunch, many people would probably scorn that person, calling him or her ‘lazy.’ This is because the belief behind work is completely different between these two cultures. Also, American government does not force employers to give mothers paid maternity leave. In Europe, most of the countries make paid maternity leave mandatory, often for a long period of time. This is unfortunate, but, again, the American ideology’s influence on work allows this to be viewed as commonplace and normal. However, American ideology was not always the same. American ideology, even its views on work, have changed over time. This is where, I believe, sociology and history get mixed up. While examining history, it is possible to see the changes made in culture. For example, the cultural changes seen between the two decades-the 1950s and the 1960s—are
A major reason, I think, is due to socialization and what people believe to be normal. For instance, people, in Europe, are encouraged to take a break during the workday. Often many businesses close during the day to accommodate for this break. In Spain, these breaks are called “siestas,” and it is a time during the day when everyone takes a break and relaxes. If someone at an office, in America, decided to leave everyday, go home, and take a nap after lunch, many people would probably scorn that person, calling him or her ‘lazy.’ This is because the belief behind work is completely different between these two cultures. Also, American government does not force employers to give mothers paid maternity leave. In Europe, most of the countries make paid maternity leave mandatory, often for a long period of time. This is unfortunate, but, again, the American ideology’s influence on work allows this to be viewed as commonplace and normal. However, American ideology was not always the same. American ideology, even its views on work, have changed over time. This is where, I believe, sociology and history get mixed up. While examining history, it is possible to see the changes made in culture. For example, the cultural changes seen between the two decades-the 1950s and the 1960s—are