I do believe what Ruth Benedict said that we are creatures
of our culture. Whatever culture are environment and parents instill in us is
who we are. We are taught these cultures from the time we are born. We will
pass them down to our children and so on, BUT I do believe we can break from
our limits of culture. You have to have an open mind and be willing to learn
another culture. In our textbook it gives the characteristics of culture.
Culture can be learned, taught, and shared. Not only that, but cultures are
always changing. “As economic conditions change, as new technologies are
developed, and as cultural contact increases, old ways of doing things change
and people must learn new behaviors.” (page 328) You are never made to be stuck
on one culture. Many people, like me, come from parents with two different
cultures. It is very common to possess more than one culture.
It would be interesting to know specifically what percentage physical environment versus psychological input (parents) plays in shaping our cultural beliefs. In my observations, I would have to think the psychological input weighs heavier based on our human need (Maslow's needs theory)for safety and belonging and its affects on our self esteem and self actualization. I'm thinking of a poverty stricken American child who grows up out of the projects into a budding star athlete or musician, in some instances based on their parents' psychological support and belief in the child's ability despite their physical environment. What do you think plays a weightier role in shaping our culture, physical or psychological?
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