Spotlight on Students: Cultural Relativism & Ethnocentrism

The following post features exemplary work from my Anth 101: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology students.  For their assignment on cultural relativism & ethnocentrism they were tasked with a hypothetical situation involving Finnish neighbors and the custom of the baby box. Please acknowledge their hard work by letting them know how well they did and how much you enjoy their work.  :)

DESIREE JOUAN

ANTHROPOLOGY 101: 1002: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

           

In a world of diverse cultures, opinions, and beliefs, it is easy to neglect the acknowledgment of the different cultures around us. Whatever culture one is born into and raised in is the culture that will seem to be the most normal or socially correct. When one is raised they adopt the opinions, practices, and norms of those around them, not necessarily dismissing the others, but most likely not taking the time to involve themselves in other cultures. It is important as an educated adult to understand the difference between cultural relativism and ethnocentrism in order to have the ability to respectfully agree or disagree with the unique practices of foreign cultures.  

            Supporters of ethnocentrism hold the assumption that their own cultural practices are correct (Anthropology, 12), dismissing the very real possibility of cultural diversity around the globe. An ethnocentric attitude can often result in the lack of desire to understand another’s culture but instead lead to label it as incorrect. Judgement of foreign practices is common among this view point. Like mentioned before, it is normal to feel that one’s own culture is the most comfortable. From an ethnocentric stand point, however, one’s own culture would not only feel most comfortable but most correct. This can result in the idea that foreign cultures are incorrect and should be corrected or dismissed. 

            Cultural relativism is an important principle to adopt for it promotes the understanding of another’s cultural values, practices, and beliefs. It is “the moral and intellectual principle that that one should withhold judgement about strange or exotic beliefs” (11). One who stands by cultural relativistic morals is open to the reasoning behind a tradition or practice they find to be bizarre or unnatural in comparison to their own culture’s social norms.  Cultural relativism eliminates the idea of a universal social standard that ethnocentrism stands by and instead opens the possibilities to cultural diversity. It provides respect for the cultures around us and allows peaceful coexistence between unique communities.  

In a situation where one would come across a foreign family’s baby bed constructed of a cardboard box, one who choses ignorance over education would most likely take an ethnocentric view point.  There would be no attempt to understand the reasoning behind such a bizarre sleeping arrangement for an infant. Emotions evoked may be that of surprise, concern, doubt, and confusion. Although these emotions could also be shared by a culturally relativistic interpretation, it differs by reaction to these emotions, whereas someone with an ethnocentric view would not make an attempt to understand the situation so they could put their concern at ease. Emotions could be followed by anger and disgust and result in a negative conclusion.

From a culturally relativistic point of view, one may first experience confusion but would most likely make an attempt to understand why a baby would sleep in a box. Confusion could result in communicated concern, which could then be followed by conversation and concluded with new knowledge and understanding. It is important to remain open minded of reasoning behind the bizarre and unnatural. Once an explanation has been given, one can then either agree or disagree with the card board box, but the opinion is given thoughtfully.

I find the ethnocentric stand point to be ignorant. If I was ever placed in a situation in which a family showed me a cardboard box for where their future baby would be sleeping, I would genuinely be very concerned. My first opinion would be influenced by the standards of my own culture, where the social norm is to lay infants down to rest in blanketed and cushioned cribs. Once the family explained the importance of this tradition, however, I would then be able to set aside concern and instead replace it with understanding. In this circumstance, I would be displaying cultural relativism, setting aside judgement and being open to the tradition of Finnish culture.

In conclusion, any appropriate and educated response to a foreign practice will fall under cultural relativism. Ethnocentrism by anthropological standards is inconvenient and impractical when attempting to relate to cultures of interest. Adopting cultural relativism into one’s view point will open the door to better understanding of the cultures around us, which in a country thriving with diverse cultures, is of major importance.

             Works Cited

Vivanco, Robert L. Welsh and Luis A. Cultural Anthropology. Oxford University, n.d. print. 

MIKAYLA STEVENS
ANTHROPOLOGY 101: 1002: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 

            Like any study, the field of anthropology is subject to a difference of opinions. Over its relatively short existence as a discipline, two generalized methods for interpreting cultures have come to fruition based on those differing opinions: cultural ethnocentrism and cultural relativism. Both concepts are a relevant means for collecting research about varying cultural practices.

There is an exotic tradition of using cardboard box beds for babies in Finland. The idea is that the Finnish government sends expectant mothers a cardboard box containing a mattress and many other things they will need for their baby. Mothers then place the mattress in the box and it becomes their baby’s bed (Lee, Why Finnish Babies Sleep in Cardboard Boxes).

            Due to the controversial nature of the Finnish baby box bed practice, it is the perfect instance for applying both the concept of ethnocentrism and that of cultural relativism. An ethnocentric approach is defined as “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 and Vivanco 11). Ethnocentrism sets the observer’s culture as the standard. Any tradition or concept that challenges your own or is too far outside of your own would be simply ridiculous in comparison. Narrow-mindedness rules over tolerance when it comes to an ethnocentric viewpoint, and in some cases this is caused by moral indifference. Another’s culture can be religiously wrong in one’s eyes, for example. This approach to learning about new cultures can often lead to persecution and prejudice.

            Using an ethnocentric mindset to evaluate the aforementioned Finnish tradition, one would draw attention to how taboo it is to make your newborn child sleep in a cardboard box. In America, cardboard box beds are associated with the homeless. To place your child’s mattress in a cardboard box while you and the remainder of your family are more than likely sound asleep in normal mattress and box-spring beds seems selfish and lazy. Almost as if you do not view your child’s comfort as priority. Many of us in America also have far too much pride to accept “government handouts,” especially under the pretense that it would mean our children would not sleep in cribs like they are “supposed” to.

            Now, however, there is the dissimilar concept mentioned earlier: cultural relativism. Cultural relativism is traditionally the preferred method of observation in modern day anthropology. This is the notion of “the moral and intellectual principle that one should withhold judgment about seemingly strange or exotic beliefs and practices. (Welsch and Vivanco 12). Obviously, this is an entirely unbiased and usually ethically sound means of conducting cultural anthropology that is pertinent in today’s increasingly accepting society. As with any other scientific practice, however, there are holes in this belief system. Cultural relativism can justify acceptance for societal traditions, institutions, and practices that are actually detrimental. Being that it is entirely unbiased, it is also entirely receptive to both the negative and positive aspects of situations.

            From a culturally relativistic point of view, one would draw the conclusion that this is a very interesting practice unique to the country of Finland and nothing more. The traditions and morals of America are not important as this is not an American practice. The children are safe and infant mortality rates have actually decreased significantly as a result of this cardboard box tradition (Lee). Had death rates increased, the observer’s opinion would remain the same as cultural relativism leaves no room for judgment no matter the circumstance. The Finnish are simply accepting a government offering that has been widely accepted for decades. It is intriguing and equally as acceptable as any other culture’s means of housing newborns.

            Personally, my feelings on the subject lie on the line of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism. The babies have a place to sleep and clothes to keep them warm, which is more than many countries have the ability or interest in supplying for their children. The only quam I truly have would be the aesthetics of a cardboard bed. In America, cardboard box beds are usually reserved for puppies and kittens, not children. I do not think that a baby really cares if its mattress is in a wooden crib frame or a cardboard box or even a dresser drawer. I, however, would have a hard time getting past the traditional American practice of using a basinet or crib for my child, which would be where my ethnocentric views lie.   

            Ethnocentrism and cultural relativism both have their pros and cons. Both are relevant and useful in studying cultures and their societal norms. As with anything else, the danger lies in extremist interpretations. Observing the Finnish cardboard box baby bed tradition from an ethnocentric stand point leaves one with the belief that it is entirely barbaric and unacceptable and from a culturally relativistic view point it is entirely valid and interesting.

Works Cited

Lee, Helena. "Why Finnish Babies Sleep in Cardboard Boxes - BBC News."BBC News. N.p., 4 June 2013. Web. 15 Sept. 2015.

Welsch, Robert Louis, and Luis Antonio Vivanco. Cultural Anthropology: Asking Questions about Humanity. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.