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.
By: McKenzie Williams
Typically, when presented with a situation we automatically have an opinion and do not take the time to think about other people, their culture, their beliefs, or how what we do or say can affect them. There are two types of views regarding culture: cultural relativism and ethnocentrism. People usually take the ethnocentric approach instead of the cultural relativistic approach because it is their first reaction to a situation. Instead, people should take the time to assess the situation and think of the values and practices of other cultures. In this essay I will discuss the two approaches associated with cultural anthropology.
The original view of most people have upon encountering a new culture is ethnocentrism, which according to the book Anthropology: Asking Questions About Human Origins, Diversity, and Culture 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” (Fuentes, Vivanco and Welsch 531). The other point of view is cultural relativism, which is “the moral and intellectual principle that one should withhold judgement about seemingly strange or exotic beliefs and practices” (Fuentes, Vivanco and Welsch 530). We can see both points of view at play in a scenario wherein Helga sent birthday invitations to all of her friends. Two of her friends, Jessie and Riley, each read the invitation and had two different reactions to the invitation’s content. In the situation presented, Jessie took the ethnocentric approach and Riley took the cultural relativistic approach.
From an ethnocentric interpretation of the situation, Jessie read Helga’s request to not be told happy birthday until her actual birthday and choose to ignore it. Being this ethnocentric person, Jessie said that she would tell Helga happy birthday the next time that she saw her because she thinks Helga is superstitious and the whole situation is crazy and dumb. Like an ethnocentric person Jessie dismissed Helga’s cultural practices and considered them ignorant. Jessie did not take the time out of her day to think about how this action would make Helga feel or if this action would bring bad luck to her. Jessie did not think of how her intended action would affect her if she were in Helga’s position. She was so caught up in her own practices to try to access the situation from another point of view.
Riley approached the situation with a culturally relativistic interpretation. Riley considered Helga’s request and decided to honor her wish to tell Helga happy birthday on her actual birthday. She also took it upon herself to convince Jessie to do the same. Whether Riley agreed with Helga’s request or not she chose not judge her for her choice and thought about how she would want someone to treat her had it been her in the situation. She also used different scenarios to help Jessie realize that she was a hypocrite. She helped Jessie realize that no one judged her or her beliefs, and by doing this, Riley may have stopped Jessie from ruining Helga’s birthday. In addition, she helped Jessie understand that it is okay to look at situations from a different cultural perspective.
After assessing both interpretations of the situation, I understand that people have different cultural views, but in this situation I think that there is only one correct view. I could honestly say that I would have taken the culturally relativistic approach. I would want my friends to take my cultural beliefs and feelings into account, especially if I already told them my wishes ahead of time. I think that Jessie is wrong in this situation, and I believe she would be upset if someone judged her for her superstitious beliefs if the situation was flipped. On the other hand, Riley chose not to judge Helga and also teach a lesson that hopefully Jessie can take into consideration next time a cultural situation is presented. I understand that people have different opinions about cultural beliefs, but I do not think some thoughts should be expressed out loud. Had I been Helga’s friend in this situation I would have honored her wish to not be told happy birthday until the appropriate date out of respect for her and her cultural practices.
In conclusion this situation goes to show there are two ways to think of a cultural situation. People’s cultural views change depending on the situation and possibly the individual’s upbringing. Some people are able to think of other’s feelings or how they would want someone to act if their positions were switched, while others will be hypocrites and judge someone else for their cultural beliefs. Although it is okay to have our own opinions on a situation, we need to be able to see both sides of a situation before acting or saying things. We never know how what we do or say can affect someone or what damage it can do to any type of relationship.
Works Cited
Fuentes, Agustin, Luis A. Vivanco, and Robert L. Welsch. Anthropology: Asking Questions About Human Origins, Diversity, and Culture (1st ed., pg. 530, 531). Oxford University Press, 2017. 23 January 2022.
7 comments:
As a person I have grown a lot because I used to speak before I speak. I never looked at it another way. I’ve come from a very traditional Mexican household. A lot of things we do are absolute. We look at it as the only way to do it. My family still has this problem. I correct it when I hear it. Jesse is wrong just cause it isn’t normal for you doesn’t mean you have to disrespect their beliefs. Just respect their beliefs and enjoy the moment. Riley thinking with cultural relativism is awesome and he was raised right. I would have taken that approach also just cause we don’t believe doesn’t mean I can’t understand you. I will be very nice and do exactly what she says and ask for more details for I could understand a lot more. I don’t want to ruin Helga's birthday. I think people that don’t want to understand another person's beliefs are very immature. It's not always your way
This author is correct in his assessment that when faced with a situation, we automatically form an opinion and do not take the time to consider other people, their culture, their beliefs, or how what we do or say may affect them. What is accepted in one culture may be rejected in another, but this does not make either of them incorrect. It simply means that there is no single way to think about a cultural situation, because culture is defined by the society under consideration.
Jameaka Mannings
I agree as I see this subject as a personal preference not a cultural activity. Society has norms and that's were your relativisms and ethnocentrism. Sociality standards put this in place not so much cultures.
Elaine Christopher
Other people’s beliefs and cultures should always be considered and honored without dismissing them from your point of view. We should always treat others in any situation despite our thoughts in the same way we will wish to be treated. Different cultures should be understood without engaging in judgments that are subjective based on one’s own culture because they are both valued by different people in different societies. Helga’s birthday should be ruined because of Jesse’s point of view but should be honored the same way Riley did, with absolute maturity and respect.
I’ve learned people cultural views are often reflected on where or how they were raised. The community really affects the way we view life. I was always told to never judge people. After growing up in a Pentecostal household many people tend to look at things we did as weird and absurd. For example wearing skirts below the knees was a requirement and we were to never show our elbows. Even children had to follow this tradition it is great to enlighten yourself on a situation before critiquing anything.
This article definetly opens your mind to the “smaller” details of ethnocentrism. While I do my best as an individual to keep an open mind I sometimes fail at this, as I’m human. Reading this however shows me even the littlest of details shouldn’t go unnoticed, even something as simple as a happy birthday when needed. - Kennedi W.
Reading this blog made me think about the two perspectives of cultural relativism and ethnocentrism. The example of Helga's birthday clearly shows the importance of respecting other people's cultures and feelings, and I was particularly impressed by Riley's considerate actions.
I was reminded that thinking about how I would feel in the same situation is the key to maintaining good relationships. I also sympathized with the importance of respecting other people's cultures and beliefs and being considerate. This blog taught me the importance of acting from the other person's point of view.
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