Abstract This research paper defines the aspects of a child's upbringing and environment towards understanding behavior, and attempts to determine means and types of intervention that would favorably impact that upbringing and environment to promote behavior leading to enculturation, and successful interaction with peers and adults. The paper examines factors contributing to those attitudes and their resulting effects on children and gives a special focus on African American mothers.
From the Paper "Traditionally, research on the behavior of children as a result of the parenting skills and attitudes of their parents has focused on optimal behavior as an outcome of environmental, attitudinal and societal factors. Points of view regarding the influential strength of these factors have varied as society and the orientation of the researchers have changed. Researchers adopting a more sociologically-centered view suggest that parenting itself is a function of socioeconomic and sociohistorical factors and that parameters for context must be figured into any assessment of the impact of parenting on subsequent child behavior."
Abstract This study investigated the effects of home-based counseling in improving the personal self-concept, overall social behavior and academic achievement of inner city at-risk African American adolescents, aged 12 to 21. It was hypothesized that if a counselor could be exposed to, and take into consideration, the at-risk adolescent's home and community environment, a holistic outlook might be beneficial in recommending effective, successful intervention tactics with both short and long term benefits.
From the Paper "The concept of home-based visits and counseling is not new: in recent decades, mental health professionals have been visiting their clients in their homes for a variety of reasons including the provision of services to those unlikely or unwilling to seek out and maintain regular contact in more traditional settings and to provide comprehensive, integrated treatment approaches for clients with multidimensional needs. Clinical observation and empirical research supports the potential effectiveness of home-based services. Appropriate intervention can help individual clients and families in crisis or at risk to be served, stabilized and supported in their own homes; research also supports the fact that clients, whether individuals or families, facing multiple problems of poverty, few social supports, severe psychosocial disturbance, social stigma and prejudice, and limited access to employment, housing and other resources often need ongoing support to sustain a successful environment from which a student may confidently base academic achievement .and crisis free living. (Newton, 30-31)."
Tags: learn, counsel, treatment, therapy, african, culture, students
Abstract This paper examines the way the media aids in the construction of identities. The author argues that the media controls certain images present on television, newspapers and other forms of communication, which shape stereotypes and identities. The paper focuses on the depiction of the Asian population with a careful analysis of the stereotyping of Asian men.
From the Paper "While watching the news on television, one may notice a skewed proportion of Asian men to Asian women. A close examination will show that Asian women fill the roles of news anchors, while Asian males are situated as field reporters. Asian men and women's education and experience have no function in the determination of these roles. Things are never what they appear to be; the just American society does not practice equality. Although one may imagine that talent and education determine one's compatibility for the spotlight, the fact is image plays the most important role. Yen Le Espiritu's concept of controlling images help to explain how the media portrays Asian men with such a negative identity that it creates what Stuart Hall calls positions of identification, or predetermined roles that they are confined within. The controlling images present in television, newspaper, and other mediums of communication construct negative stereotypes for Asian men, creating for them an identity that is unfavorable for television news. From the images present in the media, Asian men construct for themselves a position of identification: one with no association with television news."
Abstract This paper examines the roles of males and females in several cultures. The author focuses primarily on the interaction between the genders in terms of sex, marriage, and reproduction. The paper also looks at the sexes with respect to finances, familial decision-making, and overall power and influence.
From the Paper "Gender relations are most easily characterized through an interpretive analysis of reproduction, production, power, and gender ideologies. These four components of the affinity between men and women in various cultures effectively illustrate the societies? perceptions and understandings of each of the sexes. Subsequently, how each sex demonstrates their core of beliefs and or knowledge is dependent upon these perceptions of their role and contribution to society. Through the application of one or more of these dimensions, each culture defines gender relation. Although one society may rely more heavily on a certain component to provide definition of distinction between gender, anthropologists and sociologists have found numerous similarities between the uses of these dimensions as a tool of definition in dissimilar cultures."
Abstract The following essay describes the memorable and culture enriched journey one experiences when entering the Pantheon in Rome.It discusses amongst other things the way in which the Pantheon still manages to communicate with us so vividly across such a vast expanse of time.
From the paper:
"As Stendhal wrote, "It requires only a few moments to be penetrated by its beauty. You stop before the portico; you take a few steps, you see the church, and the whole thing is over." Stendhal also claimed that he had never met any person who was unmoved by this sublime experience. "
Abstract This paper discusses the theory of cultural relativism as it relates to gender and sexuality from an anthropological cross-cultural perspective. It discusses how the "Western" perspective, as the dominant culture, defines the experiences of women who have experienced FGM in certain ways, namely in terms of Western medical discourse. This definition neglects to address the subjective experience of the women and how they define themselves and their own experience, thus giving an incomplete picture of the socio-cultural framework in which FGM takes place. Included also is a discussion of the problems of applying sociological theory to the intricacy of real-world human affairs.
From the paper:
"Cultural relativism states that what is morally good and bad is collectively defined by the people in a culture, and therefore there is no objective way to judge between cultures. Thus, an act in one culture that seems barbaric to an outsider ? such as female circumcision ? cannot be thus judged, because the outsider has his own value system that is not relevant to the culture. In this paper, I will examine the theoretical and ideological underpinnings of this perspective, the problems that arise when it is applied to actual cultural diversity, and alternative ways of looking at the space between cultures. I will specifically investigate the controversial topic of female genital mutilation, and explore the problems involved in approaching the practice from outside the culture it is practiced in."
Tags: constructionist, criticism, deconstructionist, foucault, social
The following essay examines two related themes in the Modern Age that have dramatically weaved their way through history and into the present day, nationalism and its aggressive ethnocentric stepchild, cultural imperialism.
1,305 words (approx. 5.2 pages), 2000 sources, 2000, $ 44.95
Abstract This essay examines the two related themes that have significantly contributed to the development of social, political, and cultural changes across the planet. The writer examines several historical examples related to these themes, and then relates nationalism and cultural imperialism to current events. In addition this essay comments on nationalistic tendencies during the Protestant Reformation and creation of the dynastic states, surrounding the French Revolution and the Revolutions of 1848, within the Far East, and in other settings; and cite nationalism in current events.
From the Paper "Plenty of arguments surround the role of the Protestant Reformation in the rise of modern individualism, democracy, and industrialism, but most historians agree that the Reformation deeply influenced the formation of modern nationalism, especially through the Thirty Years War and the subsequent Treaty of Westphalia. By that time, several of the modern nation-states were solidified, particularly Spain, France, and England. Here we see nationalism originating in states that were based on religious and dynastic ties."
Abstract This paper examines the ways in which Greek religion was tied to Greek political beliefs and practices and the ways in which Hebrew religious beliefs and practices were linked to social conventions and cultural values since neither religion can be understood in isolation from its social context.
From the Paper "Because most people have now heard of Greek mythology, we should start off by discussing how it differs from Greek religion. Greek mythology was a collection of folk stories about heroism, passion, loss and victory. Greek religion was much more serious, being focused on the ways that people should feel towards the gods. Greek religion was practiced for over a thousand years, from the time of the poet Homer (who lived in the ninth century before the Christian era) through the reign of the Emperor Julian in the fourth century a.d."
Abstract This paper is an in-depth look at the superstitions and mysticism of ancient Rome. The author discusses how magic and witchcraft conflicted with Rome as a modern society. The paper examines the history of spell-casting as a powerful tool among ancient civilizations, and explains the different types of spells and rituals that were popular among the Romans.
From the Paper "To a culture acclimated to the traditional control and directive demands of a host of unseen dominant deities, belief in the potency of divination, binding spells and ritualistic curses came easy and a strong faith and belief in the might and power inherent in the art of magic soon became deeply rooted within much of Roman society. In the arcane secrets and influential chants of magic, the ancients perceived the chance to gain a measure of control over a life and a death traditionally dependant on the whims of the gods as well as a method of counteractive defense against deities whose offenses frequently affected success and often determined survival. Although the philosophers of Rome continued to condemn the practices of magic, much of the ancient citizenry of Rome readily accepted the principles of the magic arts and eagerly embraced its ritualistic practices."
Abstract This essay looks at purpose of the pre-colonial economy in Latin America and the methods employed by the Spaniards to control the natives and production under colonization. It examines the diverse population the Spaniards found upon arrival, and how the Spaniards simply superimposed themselves upon existing structures. The four main labour systems used by the Spanish are outlined. The exploitation based on the economic systems implementated by the Spaniards is explored.
From the Paper "The process of colonization within any one country or group of countries was conditioned by the pre-existing historical circumstances and the attractiveness of its resources to the colonisers. In turn, these affected the degree of exploitation and the nature of the developments that took place and consequently the level of marginalisation that occurred within the economy and society. The conquest of Latin America was carried out by the Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch and British. But it was Spain who secured the largest, richest and most diverse territory, and did so with great rapidity. Within 70 years of Columbus's arrival in the Caribbean, Spain had overthrown the Aztec and Inca empires and occupied most of middle and western South America."
Abstract This paper examines the history of Latin American music and the influence it has had on American culture, looking at the particular forms that have had the most influence as well as some of the particular personalities that have been the most influential in bringing Latin American music to the United States.
From the Paper ?It would be hard to find any area of 20th-century American pop music ? and now 21st century ? that has not been affected by Latin American music, including Tin Pan Alley, stage and film music, jazz, rhythm and blues, country music, and rock (Roberts, 1998, p. 14). The musical voices of Brazil, Cuba, and Mexico have made their way into each of these American forms, which have been influenced not only by Latin American rhythms and musical forms but also by individual musicians and bandleaders who came to play an important role in shaping American culture (Roberts, 1998, p. 19).?
Abstract This paper examines culture, society, and gender roles in Chinua Achebe's novel about survival of native clans in pre-colonial societies along the Niger River in "Things Fall Apart". The author discusses how Igbo tribal members dealt with gender restrictions.
From the Paper "Achebe's use of the motif "agbala" in Things Fall Apart showed the importance of clear and distinct gender roles to the survival of the Igbo. In spite of Okonkwo's profound fear of being seen as weak or womanly, most men in the male dominated society still accorded respect toward women. The roles were re-enforced among the Igbo through conscious identification with one's own gender, by the religious structure and the social mores. The language, specifically the terms and phrases they used which were reflected in the narration, effectively integrated gender, religion and social mores to help the Igbo survive as a people."
Abstract This is a book review of David Brooks' book, "Bobos in Paradise:The New Upper Class and How They Got There." This paper examines David Brooks' concept of the "Bobo," a compound of bourgeois and bohemian, which is the new emerging class of the millennium. This class is made up of bankers, baby boomers and the new generation that is running the billion dollar dot-com industries. The author also points out several weaknesses in Brooks' thesis, and traces this back to his own background which makes him biased in his writing about "Bobos."
From the Paper "Till there it is okay. But the problem starts when Brooks attempts to give authenticity to this newfound culture with all its new sense of taste and style. He starts appreciating the Bobo culture because of its "sober" bourgeois achievement, which takes into it the creative, and the spontaneous element of the sixties. On one level he scoffs at those Bobos who think $ 10K outdoor Jacuzzi is crass but $20K slate shower reflects simple rhythm of life. Yet on another level he appreciates this new upper class style which is based on the display of sufficient taste to know what the best is and to choose it--whether the best coffee, the best food, the best building materials, or whatever. He has his full support for them who find that it is not okay to spend extravagantly on something for display along; it is okay to spend extravagantly on something that is useful in enhancing one's authentic personality."
Abstract This paper studies different culture and their absorption into North American culture. It studies cultural justice,by taking a close look at the identity of different cultures. It details where the culture finds its value, what the traditions that make it rich are, and what values are held in the highest value. It defines the term authenticity and studies its meaning with context to North America. It discusses different cultures such as: African-Americans, North Americans, Chines, Italian and more.
From the Paper "Cultural identity, that which defines an individual's heritage, belief system and values within the larger framework of society, is distinguished by tradition, ritual, language and history. In studying cultural justice, the responsibility to not only understand and embrace cultural differences, but also to discourage and dissuade cultural prejudices, particularly negative ones, one must take a close look at a culture's identity. Where does the culture find its value? What are the traditions that make it rich? What values are held in the highest esteem? There is a tendency, particularly in a multi-cultural society such as ours, for individuals who identify with a particular culture, to shed their ethnic or cultural values and to embrace those typical of the North American lifestyle. Some say this is necessary in order to create a viable North American culture. Others would argue that the richness of various cultural identities is what makes our culture so attractive."
Abstract A brief comparison of the way people live in both China and India. It shows that both countries do not provide equal opportunities for their women - Communism and the caste system. In China the emphasis is on a good education and striving for hard work while in India most of the population is illiterate. The writer suggests that while both countries are densely populated their attitude towards life are very different.
From the Paper "The cultures of India and China share some similarities, yet are vastly different when answering the question of how ideally a person should live their life. India, as a country, embraces the diversity of their people, and lives peacefully despite the different religions that coexist. The country supports a large population that is estimated at over 1 billion people. The people of India speak thousands of languages, practice nearly every religion imaginable, and oddly enough still incorporate the caste system. China similarly supports a 1-billion+ population, along with social classes, but more emphasis is placed on being male, and receiving higher education. Communism has been a very intrusive government system, which has dramatically influenced the everyday way of life in China."
