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Understanding how our family traditions and cultural background shape what we think is important.
Imagine you woke up today wearing a pair of 'invisible glasses' that you have had since the day you were born. You don't even know you're wearing them, but they change how you see everything—from how you greet a neighbor to what you think is a 'good' lunch!
Many people think culture is just about the food we eat or the holidays we celebrate. While that is part of it, culture is actually much bigger! Think of culture as a 'mental toolkit' passed down by your family and community. It includes your language, traditions, and beliefs. It is the 'invisible software' that helps you decide how to act in different situations. For example, in some cultures, looking someone directly in the eye is a sign of honesty, while in others, it might be seen as disrespectful. Neither is wrong; they are just different tools from different cultural toolkits.
Quick Check
Is culture only made up of things we can see, like food and clothes?
Answer
No, culture also includes 'invisible' things like beliefs, values, and ways of communicating.
At the heart of every culture are values. A value is a belief about what is most important or 'good' in life. You can think of a value as a simple equation for making decisions: . If your family values interdependence (the idea that we all need each other), you might spend your Saturday helping a cousin move instead of playing video games. If your family values independence, they might encourage you to finish your own chores before helping others. These values are the building blocks of your identity.
1. Situation: It is dinner time at Maya's house. 2. Cultural Value: Maya’s family values Elder Respect. 3. Action: Maya waits for her grandmother to take the first bite before she starts eating. 4. Result: Maya is practicing a value learned from her cultural background.
Quick Check
What is a 'value' in your own words?
Answer
A value is a belief about what is most important or 'good' that guides how we behave.
Because we all have different toolkits, we all have different perspectives. A perspective is the way you see and understand the world. Imagine two students see a classmate sitting alone at lunch. Student A, whose culture values privacy, might think, 'I should leave them alone and give them space.' Student B, whose culture values hospitality, might think, 'I must go sit with them so they aren't lonely.' Both students are trying to be kind, but their cultural 'invisible glasses' lead them to different conclusions.
Two students, Leo and Sam, are working on a poster. 1. Leo's Lens: Values Directness. He says, 'I don't like that color, let's change it.' 2. Sam's Lens: Values Harmony. He feels hurt because he thinks being that direct is mean. 3. The Lesson: If Leo and Sam understand that they just have different 'lenses' for communication, they can work together better without getting upset.
Sometimes two 'good' values can conflict. Imagine you find a lost wallet. 1. Value A (Honesty): You must tell the truth and find the owner. 2. Value B (Loyalty): Your friend needs money for lunch, and you want to help them. 3. Challenge: How does your specific cultural background help you decide which value is 'heavier' or more important in this moment?
Which of these is the best definition of 'culture' based on the lesson?
If a person values 'Interdependence,' they are most likely to:
Two people can look at the same situation and see it differently because of their cultural lenses.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to name three 'invisible' parts of your own culture (like a value or a way of showing respect).
Practice Activity
Ask a family member: 'What is one value that has been passed down in our family for a long time?'