This post highlights the work required of my SA 202: Introduction to Anthropology students. Students were given the opportunity to explore a different culture through two lenses, cultural relativism and ethnocentrism, and through this exercise learn about themselves and the other culture. Several students were given the opportunity to have their exemplary work featured on the blog, and the students who provided permission have their work featured here in this and the following blog posts. Please show your appreciation for their work through the comments.
Cast Photo of the Housewives in Season 9 of the Real Housewives of New Jersey
By: Nichole Voegeli
When it comes to choosing a spouse, in some cultures it is normal for parents to choose a spouse for their child. In other cultures it is normal to allow individuals to search for and select their own spouse. For example, in the first episode of season 9 of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, the newest Housewife, Jennifer Aydin, was introduced to the existing group of Housewives. She explained that she was from Turkey and had met her husband through a series of chaperoned dates and an arranged marriage set up by her parents. The reactions from the other Housewives were of shock and disbelief, with one Housewife remarking, “Is she kidding me...” (Real Housewives of New Jersey) Later on, Mrs. Aydin explained her Turkish culture concerning chaperoned dating and arranged marriages in an interview with Lindsay Denninger of Bustle magazine. When people are introduced to a culture different than their own, there are two types of responses: ethnocentrism and cultural relativism This essay explores the concepts of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism by providing an interpretation of the previously described scenario for each.
As previously stated, there are two ways one can respond to a culture. The first type of response is known as ethnocentrism, which is “the assumption that one’s own way of doing things is correct while dismissing other people’s practices or views as wrong or ignorant” (Welsch et al. 10). The second type of response is based on cultural relativism. This response, in contrast, is more understanding of the other’s culture. According to Welsch et al., the authors of Anthropology Asking Questions about Human Origins, Diversity, and Culture, cultural relativism is “the moral and intellectual principle that one should withhold judgment about seemingly strange or exotic beliefs and practices” (10).
The reactions of the other Housewives can be interpreted as ethnocentric. Since we know that ethnocentrism is the preconceived idea that one’s own culture does things correctly and others do things incorrectly (Welsch et al. 10), it is evident that their reactions of shock and disbelief can be interpreted as such. In the show, none of the Wives seemed willing to listen to reason from Mrs. Aydin; they just expressed their opinions in a manner that showed their contempt (Real Housewives of New Jersey). One of the wives, Melissa Gorga, even correlated the practice of arranged marriages to that of the practices performed in the “Stone Ages” (Real Housewives of New Jersey). To most Americans the practices performed in the stone age are believed to be barbaric. Another Housewife, Margaret Joseph, expressed her displeasure with the idea of chaperoned dates by asking, “How is she supposed to make out with the guy?” (Real Housewives of New Jersey). Their reactions definitely expressed an ethnocentric point of view when introduced to a culture different than their own.
While the reactions of the Housewives were based on an ethnocentric perspective, the interview with Bustle displayed cultural relativism. As explained previously, cultural relativism is where a person looks at different cultures with an open mind (Welsch et al. 10). The title of the article in Bustle suggests that the interview was done with an open mind, allowing Mrs. Aydin to share how her culture works without any judgment. The title of the article is: “Why the ‘RHONJ’ Cast Shouldn’t Judge Jennifer’s Brother’s Arranged Marriage So Quickly” (Denninger 1). In the interview with Denninger, Jennifer Aydin was able to share her country’s culture concerning arranged marriages. Contrary to general belief, the couples set up by their parents get a say in the arrangement. (Denninger 1-2). Had the Housewives been open-minded and willing to listen to Mrs. Aydin’s explanation, they may not have been as judgmental in their initial reactions. As you can see, the Bustle interview displayed a cultural relativist point of view towards the Turkish culture of arranged marriages.
When reflecting on the two interpretations of the scenario, I can see how it is important to show compassion and understanding when introduced to a culture that is different than your own. In the first interpretation, the women came across as extremely judgmental, which is generally unacceptable behavior, as it can be hurtful to those being judged. I would not want to be the one receiving judgment based on a practice or belief that I grew up thinking was normal. Alternately, the second interpretation was more compassionate in nature. By withholding judgment, you can learn about other cultures and better understand why it is normal for that culture. You can still disagree with it; however, you do not have to be rude.
Personally, in this scenario, I would have reacted with a slightly ethnocentric perspective thinking that the poor woman was forced to marry someone she did not love. I was under the impression that arranged marriages were wrong because of the various movies and television shows I grew up watching. After reading the excerpt of the Bustle article, I understand why it is not as wrong as I had once believed. In the future, I hope to approach new cultures that I am introduced to with a more culturally relativistic point of view, allowing me to be more open-minded and understanding without passing judgment based on my own culture.
Works Cited
Denninger, L. “Why the ‘RHONJ’ Cast Shouldn’t Judge Jennifer’s Brother’s Arranged Marriage So Quickly.” Bustle, 16 Jan. 2019, pp. 1-2.
Real Housewives of New Jersey, season 9, episode 1, Bravo, 7 Nov. 2018. YouTube, www.youtube.com/fgowHRLGtrA?feature=shared.
Welsch, Robert L., et al. Anthropology Asking Questions About Human Origins, Diversity, and Culture. 2nd ed., Oxford UP, 2020, p. 10.
3 comments:
I personally do not watch the Real Housewives of New Jersey, but I have watched a few clips. I do not picture this group of ladies to be understanding of another culture at all. I definitely feel very bad for Mrs. Aydin to be surrounded by a group of ladies that poked fun at her culture.
I never understood my people are always so interested in others' love lives it's kind of weird to me I personally feel like everyone should mind their business and marry who they want to without feeling judged by others but because people are so Prejudiced and have that stigma that things should their definition of normal instead of someone else's definition of normal and it's not considered normal then it's wrong.
-Ahmesha Johnson
The Housewives' initial outward displays of surprise and disbelief are reflective of a common ethnocentric viewpoint, which holds that one's own cultural values are better to those of others. Their subsequent acceptance and receptivity, as seen in the interview with Bustle magazine, indicate a move in the direction of cultural relativism, in which cultural behaviors are interpreted within the confines of their own context without passing judgment. The significance of interacting with individuals from other cultures with empathy and understanding is appropriately emphasized in the post. The Housewives showed that they were receptive to learning about and appreciating cultural differences by letting Aydin talk about her customs without offering criticism.
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