A Little Bit of Culture

Each culture around us has aspects about it that are desirable. Often times we tend to focus on the negatives of different cultures and not see what is truly positive and has an inspiring influence on those around them.

Today, I want to look at some of the positives in my culture in regard to family. My past blog posts have been very negative towards America and the statistics, in attempt to show what really is the most desirable circumstances to raise children in the world we live in today. But there still is so much good in this culture and how people raise children. The first thing I would like focus on is how children are treated and that they are seen as children till the age of eighteen. Many cultures, as soon as girls are developed, they are sent off to be married. Or as soon as their sons are old enough to work, they are sent off to work. This can be as young as thirteen sometimes! In my culture, appreciated that children are expected to be children until they are eighteen. They are not expected to do what children should never have to do. We are given these vital years to grow, develop, and learn what we want to become in our future. We are not forced to assume the role of a mother or father at an age that we so vitally need our mothers and fathers. These years have proven to be necessary in any child’s development. I will forever be grateful for the past eighteen years of my life and all of the guidance I received from my parents, family, and friends. All of these outside influences have helped to shape me into the girl I am today and the woman I will become someday. Each culture in the world around us is very different. We all have different strengths and weaknesses, but this is one thing from the American culture that I will forever cling to.

Another thing about my culture that I wish to keep alive in the years to come is the idea of a democracy in the family. I have seen in my own family and in many other’s families how effective it can be to listen to each other for help and guidance. In the American culture, we do not typically see the father figure being a dictator over the family. But rather, we see how the mother and father both have dominate roles in the family in work together as a team; as equal partners. Something my family did that has brought a lot of peace in our home is hold a family council every Sunday evening. It was at this time that all of the children and both parents could express their feelings and worries, and we could resolve them right then and there. We came closer as a family and were able to plan fun activities that helped us to bond even more. When people are seen as an equal, there is less conflict and more communication taking place.

On the other side of the spectrum, there are several things that I wish we could all improve in when it comes to the culture of family in America. The first one being respect. I have seen so many families where the hierarchy of the family is messed up and there is complete chaos. When children fail to show respect to their parents or elders, though they may be wrong, it has a very negative affect on the family as a whole and sets a bad example for those around them. Now I am not saying that if children are being abused that they need to suck up their pain and be obedient and respectful to their parents. But what I am saying is that it is important to honor those who are in charge of you, who have done so much for you, as a way of saying thank you. If we can change this common habit among so many American teenagers and children, we will see a happier and better function family all around.

Family has been defined in countless ways in just that past few years. But one thing that I wish to see go away is the idea that children are a burden rather than a blessing. Children have the right to be born to a loving mother and father who will care, love, and provide for them. But now days, we see so many families who are a single mom or dad, divorced, or same gender parents. As I discussed in previous blog posts, none of these situations come close to what the lifestyle of a mother and farther who are together and married can provide for a child. Every circumstance is different, and I understand that. But if we can try to go back to the “old fashion” way if you will and try to model our families after a happy mother and father, who are married and have children, we can help to raise a new generation of bright and emotionally set children.

In the end, it is important to look at all cultures with an open eye and to adopt the aspects of that culture that you feel will benefit your family the most. There are so many good and negative aspects of every culture and as we weed out the negatives, the positives will over flow and help to make a thriving social society.