In class last week, we were discussing cultures. But what exactly is a "culture"? I thought it was just the way you were raised. As it turns out, that was only the surface. Each of our family experiences is influenced in some way by the social groups to which we belong. Whether that be social class, or privilege.
The idea of culture is just that, an idea. It is not created, defined or maintained by skin color, language or geography. Each family has it's own culture. This culture is influenced by many factors.
Let's look at Mary, for example. She was raised on a farm with ten siblings. She is number 9 of 11, so she had to learn her way around things. In her family, it was expected to do your part of taking care of the farm. Luckily for her, she was too young to have to move any pipe in potatoes. She only had to move pipe in wheat, alfalfa, and pasture. It was expected of us to learn at a young age how to work. Even if it was as simple as going out to feed a baby calf. Work ethics was a part of the Turpin family culture.
Not only that, but the Turpins were also religious. Each school day, they would pray together as a family. Some more eager than others. Each Sunday, the Turpin family would wake up and get ready for church. Mary didn't think much of it. That is how she was raised- to always get dressed to go to church each Sunday. This expectancy from the family, or the family 'norm' was the Turpin family's culture.
Now, I know I personally thought originally your culture was related to your class, or your social ranking. This is a major part of it, but not everything, as you can see. It all comes down to diversity. And the leading contribution is the diversity in families. Whether you are a "high class" and can afford whatever you like, or you are the more of the "simple class" (who knows how to have fun), you are a part of your individual culture. Whatever that means...
~Mary
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